Jeff Lyon won the

Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism The Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting has been presented since 1998, for a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear pr ...

in 1987, for ''

The Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...

''.

Background

Lyon was born in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

in 1945. He studied at the Francis W. Parker High School and graduated with a BSJ from the

Medill School of Journalism The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications is a constituent school of Northwestern University that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. It frequently ranks as the top school of journalism in the Unite ...

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

. He is married to Bonita Brodt who is a feature writer for the ''Tribune''. The couple has one daughter and live in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Journalism

Lyon first worked at ''

The Miami Herald The ''Miami Herald'' is an American daily newspaper owned by the McClatchy Company and headquartered in Doral, Florida, a city in western Miami-Dade County and the Miami metropolitan area, several miles west of Downtown Miami.Chicago Today The ''Chicago American'' was an afternoon newspaper published in Chicago, under various names until its dissolution in 1974. History The paper's first edition came out on July 4, 1900, as '' Hearst's Chicago American''. It became the ''Morning ...

for eight years. Following that he began work at the ''Tribune'' as well as its Sunday magazine. In 1976 he became a

columnist A columnist is a person who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Column (newspaper), Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs. They take the fo ...

for that journal and then five years later a feature writer. Lyon held the role of

Deputy Editor Deputy or depute may refer to: * Steward (office) * Khalifa, an Arabic title that can signify "deputy" * Deputy (legislator), a legislator in many countries and regions, including: ** A member of a Chamber of Deputies, for example in Italy, Spa ...

at the ''Tribune'' and Director of the science writing program at Chicago’s Columbia College.

Awards and acclaim

Lyon won the Pulitzer Prize, together with Peter Gorner, for The Chicago Tribune “for he seven part ‘Altered Fates, The Promise of Gene Therapy’ 1986series on the promises of gene therapy, which examined the implications of this revolutionary medical treatment.” According to ''Tribune'' Editor James D. Squires, the Altered Fates series “is an outstanding example of the kind of excellence in journalism symbolized by the Pulitzer Prize. In 1986, the Tribune had a number of outstanding reporting efforts we think worthy of the Pulitzer, but theirs was indeed our best. All of us are proud and grateful that it was so recognized.” Lyon was the recipient of the 1984

National Headliner Award National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

for a Tribune series on the care of congenitally handicapped newborns. Thereafter he expanded this work and wrote a book based on it, called, ''Playing God in the Nursery''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyon, Jeff American male journalists American photographers 1945 births Living people Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism winners Medill School of Journalism alumni Francis W. Parker School (Chicago) alumni