Gene Roberts the NCPA΄s North Carolinian of the Year

Famed editor began his career at Goldsboro News-Argus

Gene Roberts, who is best known in journalism circles as the man who led The Philadelphia Inquirer from mediocrity to become one of the nation's premier newspapers from 1972 to 1990, was honored by his home state's newspapers on July 18. The North Carolina Press Association named Roberts the 2008 North Carolinian of the Year.

The association has honored a notable person from various walks of life since 1993. Roberts joins the company of previous winners such as the Rev. Billy Graham, Hugh Morton, Bob Timberlake, William Friday and Richard Petty.

Roberts is a native of Wayne County. His father was a part-time minister. His other vocation was producing a weekly newspaper for the community. The young Roberts learned from this father about printing, getting stories and bartering farm animals for newspaper subscriptions.

The Mars Hill College and University of North Carolina graduate obtained his first newspaper job at the Goldsboro News-Argus. From there he worked for The Virginian-Pilot, The News & Observer, the Detroit Free Press and then The New York Times. He was national editor at the Times when he was offered the chance to become executive editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

During his years at the helm of The Inquirer, the newspaper won a newspaper war against the rival Bulletin, expanded its news hole and staff and won 17 Pulitzer Prizes.

Roberts retired from The Inquirer in 1990 and became a journalism professor at the University of Maryland. In 1994 he began a three-year stint as managing editor of The New York Times, then returned to the classroom.