Heywood Broun (1888 – 1939) was an American journalist, sportswriter, and social commentator known for his sharp wit and advocacy for the underprivileged. A prolific columnist, he founded The Newspaper Guild, championing the rights of journalists, and became a leading voice in progressive politics.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Broun attended Harvard University but left before earning a degree. He started as a baseball writer for the New York Morning Telegraph before joining the New York Tribune in 1912, where he rose to drama critic. In the 1920s, he became a columnist for the New York World and later the New York World-Telegram, gaining a reputation for his candid and humorous style. His column It Seems to Me tackled social injustices, often criticizing his own employers.
A member of the Algonquin Round Table, Broun was known for his disheveled appearance and quick humor. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Socialist in 1930, using the slogan “I’d rather be right than Roosevelt”. In 1933, he helped found The Newspaper Guild to improve working conditions for journalists.
Broun converted to Catholicism months before his death from pneumonia in 1939. His funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was attended by notable figures, including Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and playwright George S. Kaufman. His legacy as a journalist and advocate for social justice endures.