1987 Pulitzer Prize Explained

The following are the Pulitzer Prizes for 1987.

Journalism

• Public service

Pittsburgh Press

• • "For reporting by Andrew Schneider and Matthew Brelis which revealed the inadequacy of the FAA's medical screening of airline pilots and led to significant reforms."
• General news reporting

Staff of the Akron Beacon Journal

• • "For its coverage, under deadline pressure, of the attempted takeover of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. by a European financier."
• Investigative reporting

John Woestendiek of The Philadelphia Inquirer

• • "For outstanding prison beat reporting, which included proving the innocence of a man convicted of murder."
• Investigative reporting

Daniel R. Biddle, H. G. Bissinger and Fredric N. Tulsky of The Philadelphia Inquirer

• • For their series "Disorder in the Court," which revealed transgressions of justice in the Philadelphia court system and led to federal and state investigations."
• Explanatory reporting

Jeff Lyon and Peter Gorner of the Chicago Tribune

• • "For their series on the promises of gene therapy, which examined the implications of this revolutionary medical treatment."
• Specialized Reporting

Alex S. Jones of The New York Times

• • "For "The Fall of the House of Bingham," a skillful and sensitive report of a powerful newspaper family's bickering and how it led to the sale of a famed media empire."
• National Reporting

Staff of The Miami Herald

• • "For its exclusive reporting and persistent coverage of the U.S.-Iran-Contra connection."
• National Reporting

Staff of The New York Times

• • "For coverage of the aftermath of the Challenger explosion, which included stories that identified serious flaws in the shuttle's design and in the administration of America's space program."
• International reporting

Michael Parks of the Los Angeles Times

• • "For his balanced and comprehensive coverage of South Africa."
• Feature writing

Steve Twomey of The Philadelphia Inquirer

• • "For his illuminating profile of life aboard an aircraft carrier."
• Commentary

Charles Krauthammer of The Washington Post Writers Group

• • "For his witty and insightful columns on national issues."
• Criticism

Richard Eder of the Los Angeles Times

• • "For his book reviews."
• Editorial writing

Jonathan Freedman of The San Diego Union-Tribune

• • "For his editorials urging passage of the first major immigration reform act in 34 years."
• Editorial cartooning

Berkeley Breathed of The Washington Post Writers Group

• Spot news photography

Kim Komenich of the San Francisco Examiner

• • "For his photographic coverage of the fall of Ferdinand Marcos."
• Feature photography

David Peterson of Des Moines Register

• • "For his photographs depicting the shattered dreams of American farmers."

Letters and Drama

• Fiction: A Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor (Alfred A. Knopf)
• Drama: Fences by August Wilson (Plume)
• History: by Bernard Bailyn (Alfred A. Knopf)
• Biography or Autobiography: by David J. Garrow (William Morrow)
• Poetry: Thomas and Beulah by Rita Dove (Carnegie-Mellon University Press)
• General non-fiction: by David K. Shipler (Times Books)
• Music: The Flight Into Egypt by John Harbison (Associated Music Publishers)
  Premiered November 21, 1987, by Cantata Singers and Ensemble.

Special Citations and Awards

• Special Awards and Citations - Journalism: Joseph Pulitzer Jr.
  • "For his extraordinary services to American journalism and letters during his 31 years as chairman of the Pulitzer Prize Board and for his accomplishments as an editor and publisher."