Journalist and historian Louis “Studs” Terkel, who is credited with popularizing oral histories, which he called “guerrilla journalism,” died Friday, October 31, 2008, at his Chicago home at age 96. See interviews with Terkel from around PBS; read more…

In April 2000, Terkel was honored with the Polk Career Award given by Long Island University. Charlie Rose talked to him about his career compiling oral histories. Watch as Terkel muses about journalists’ obsession with anniversaries of historical events:

See Terkel on Charlie Rose site. (Originally aired: 4/19/2000)

More on Studs Terkel from Thirteen and PBS:

NewsHour:

Studs Terkel has written 11 books of oral history, allowing ordinary Americans to tell their stories through him. Ray Suarez speaks with Terkel about his latest work at the time, “Hope Dies Last,” which looks at human perseverance in challenging circumstances, aired from Dec. 1, 2003. Watch segment.

Authors Studs Terkel and Alex Kotlowitz discuss their work capturing the oral histories of average men and women in Chicago, aired August 3, 2005. Watch segment.

The Livelyhood Journey:

A few years back, Studs Terkel gave us his thoughts about the history of the eight-hour day. Here’s the text of some of his Livelyhood interview, which originally aired in 1997. Watch video.

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly:

Web exclusive: Studs Terkel interview, Dec. 19, 2003. See Q & A.