Legendary Journalist Chris Dickey Dies At 68

Popular American journalist, author, and news editor who was the Paris-based world news editor for The Daily Beast, Chris Dickey has passed away.  According to Thedailybeast, Chris Dickey died suddenly in Paris. He was aged 68. Christopher Dickey died of heart failure in Paris on July 16, 2020

Chris Dickey authored seven books, including Our Man in Charleston: Britain’s Secret Agent in the Civil War South (2015); Securing the City: Inside America’s Best Counterterror Force – the NYPD (2009), and a memoir, Summer of Deliverance (1998), about his father, the poet/novelist James Dickey. Chris Dickey was a longtime contributor at NBC.

A few favorite memories of Chris Dickey: as I was first getting to know him, he mentioned that he covered Central America in 1980s. I asked if he’d read Joan Didion‘s book Salvador. Without missing a beat, without a hint of pretense, he casually said. “Yes. It’s dedicated to me.”

— John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) July 17, 2020

To the memory of Chris Dickey, a legendary reporter, a cherished colleague and a wise editor, gone before his time. In this second photo, from January in our newsroom, he’s reading part of my book manuscript. I’m grateful beyond words for the time I had to learn from him. pic.twitter.com/27wnXPcaGS

— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) July 16, 2020

I am devastated to learn of the sudden death of great journalist and beloved colleague Chris Dickey. Can’t imagine Paris without his magnetic presence or our coverage of major foreign stories without his deep knowledge. He was generous, kind, witty and brilliant. RIP Christopher

— Chris Jansing (@ChrisJansing) July 17, 2020

Terrible news per internal memo from @thedailybeast: “Chris Dickey, our beloved colleague, has died suddenly in Paris of what seems to be heart failure. I’m shocked—shaking as I type this—and I’m sure you are, too. He was a mentor, a friend, a comrade-in-arms…”

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 16, 2020

rest in peace legendary journalist chris dickey, the last of the long time foreign correspondents based in paris. we were friends for 40 yrs, through the m.e., salvador, moscow, berlin et al.
elegant, modest and great company.
sad.

— Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) July 17, 2020

Few Things You Need To Know About Christopher Dickey

After spending several years as an Editor and writer, Chris Dickey began his career as a foreign correspondent began as Mexico and Central America Bureau Chief for The Washington Post in 1980.

Chris Dickey didn’t only shine out as an international journalist he as well authored seven books.

From 2010-13, after Newsweek was acquired by IAC, Dickey worked for both Newsweek and The Daily Beast as Paris bureau chief and Middle East editor, but stayed with The Daily Beast when Newsweek was sold a third time. In March 2014, he was named world news editor for The Daily Beast.

He  was a longtime contributor at NBC who covered wars for decades.