Dan Rather

Legendary Journalist & News Anchor

Dan Rather

Legendary Journalist & News Anchor

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Biography

Those who hear Dan Rather speak often say that he is one of the most extraordinary communicators of our time. With more than 60 years spent chronicling our world and nation, few can match the authority, experience, and perspective that the famed newsman brings to almost any subject. From politics, the media, current events, and our country’s most pressing issues— to inspiring words of wisdom on leadership, education, social justice, civic involvement and the importance of philanthropy, Dan Rather speaks from the heart and treats audiences to a memorable encounter with a living legend.

With a career that began in radio and is currently shaping news coverage in social media and beyond, Dan Rather has earned his place as one of the world’s most influential and respected journalists. During 44 years at CBS, including 24 years as anchor of the CBS Evening News, he interviewed every president since Eisenhower and personally covered history-making events from the Kennedy Assassination through Viet Nam, Watergate, Tiananmen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, and the Iraq Invasion. During this time, Rather earned a reputation as “the hardest working man in broadcast journalism” for simultaneously heading up the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours and 60 Minutes. He is the recipient of virtually every honor in broadcast journalism, including numerous Emmy Awards, several Peabody Awards and the 2012 Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award. Currently president and CEO of News and Guts, an independent multimedia production company, Rather remains an integral part of our national conversation through television appearances, innovative reports on Facebook Live, a much-followed Twitter feed and contributions to Mashable. In January of 2018, he premiered The News with Dan Rather on the Young Turks Network. The weekly show focuses on original reporting and stories that Rather feels are not receiving the attention they deserve in mainstream media.

Rather’s newest project is called “Steady.” Inspired by his father’s favorite word, “Steady” is both a paid and/or free subscription-based newsletter that is delivered directly to your inbox. It will include essays, letters, and other similar content by Rather in which he will facilitate conversations on both national and global levels. While a majority of it will be news-based, readers will also get some Jeopardy! -like topics such as sports and arts. Rather wanted to create “Steady” as a source from which people can choose to hear from him first instead of being fed his content by the algorithmic influences of social media.

Rather’s best-selling book of original essays, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism takes on the toxic political atmosphere and polarized opinions of our times with a hopeful reminder of the core ideals that all Americans share. Praised as a “tonic for our times” by USA Today, the book examines the principles that the U.S. was founded upon, the freedoms that define us, the values that have transformed us, and the traits that have sustained us. It also incorporates Rather’s decades of experience as a living witness to history, covering the biggest events and news stories of our times.

Known for humor, folksy “Ratherisms” captivating stories, and inspiring wisdom, Dan Rather’s keynotes put you in the presence of a remarkable witness to history and our times — staying with audiences long after the final applause.

Speaker Videos

It's Time for Journalists to Have Some Courage

Journalism and The Election

Objectivity in Journalism

On America's Crisis

Learning From a Lifetime of Reporting

The Early Years

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Limited Availability

What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism

At a moment of crisis over our national identity, venerated journalist Dan Rather has emerged as a voice of reason and integrity, reflecting on--and speaking passionately about--what it means to be an American. Drawn from his collection of original essays, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, he speaks with hope and conviction about the principles upon which the United States was founded. Rather examines the freedoms that define us, from the vote to the press; the values that have transformed us, from empathy to inclusion to service; the institutions that sustain us, such as public education; and the traits that helped form our young country, such as the audacity to take on daunting challenges in science and medicine, As a living witness to historical change covering the world’s biggest news stories, he offers up an intimate view of history, tracing where we have been in order to help us chart a way forward and heal our bitter divisions.

Rather Outspoken: What I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Reporting

Sharing wisdom gained during an extraordinary career, Dan Rather brings his unique perspective to the past 60 years of world events and the major issues of our time.

His vast repertoire of subjects range from politics, government, world affairs, the economy and the state of the media, to reflections on our national character, the importance of the common good, citizenship and the most provocative issues making headlines today. Working closely with clients, Dan Rather frames his presentations to focus on preferred content areas — creating an presentation that is moving, memorable, and authentically Rather.

Leadership Principles from the World’s Most Powerful Leaders

What makes a leader great? What principles do they share? What can we learn from our most admired—and most reviled leaders?

Dan Rather has interviewed every American President since Eisenhower and profiled world leaders ranging from Nelson Mandela to Fidel Castro and Saddam Hussein. In this insightful presentation, he shares what he has learned from heads of state, military commanders, and the most inspiring political figures of our time. He also recounts memorable examples of leadership under fire in warzones and during disasters, crises, and tumultuous times of social and political upheaval.

Testimonials

"Wow, what a wonderful evening for the Pratt and Baltimore! More than 700 people came to the Library to hear from Dan. He did not disappoint- funny, thoughtful, and a truly honest voice. Thank you so much for helping make this happen for the Pratt and Baltimore. A complete delight working with you."

- Enoch Pratt Free Library

"Everything went well! Mr. Rather had impeccable timing, poise and gravity—the audience laughed and cried. He got to meet many of the next generation of journalists, and see some folks he already knew. Thanks again!"

- SmartNews

"It was amazing and remarkable and stunning and surreal to have Mr. Rather here. He was unbelievable. On stage he was a rock star saying amazing and important things and had everybody eating out of his hand. Interviewing him was one of the great privileges of my professional life, and I can't believe how easy he made it. The rapport was instant. Off stage he was modest, humble, kind, self-effacing, generous, and made everybody feel like they were the most important person in the world. We're all blown away. We can't thank you enough for helping us land him."

- Joint Venture Silicon Valley

"Fantastic!!! Dan was great. Amazing speech and he stayed late to visit with everyone in the book line. Awesome feedback from attendees."

- Client

"Mr. Rather was our best speaker to date. I received nothing but compliments about Mr. Rather and I am so pleased with the magnitude of responses. The Celebration Dinner was a wonderful and successful event, and it is due in large part to the fantastic keynote speech delivered by Mr. Rather. He was absolutely the icing on the cake for all the ACC members to cherish forever. Please thank Mr. Rather for honoring us with his presence and giving us his valued perspective on world events, like only he could do, with style and grace."

- President, Association of Corporate Counsel – Chicago Chapter

"Mr. Rather was amazing and received a standing ovation. He is such a kind individual and his journalistic and life experiences were welcomed by all. So happy he was able to be a part of our conference."

- MFinancial

"We've had great feedback regarding the event as a whole as well as Dan Rather as a guest. We would highly recommend him. The attendees really enjoyed seeing the speaker engaged throughout the program and not just during the keynote. Thank you!"

- The Salvation Army

"We had an amazing evening with Dan Rather as he spoke about his book, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, for a library audience of about 900 people. Mr. Rather was kind, generous and humble. His talk stressed the importance of education, civil discourse and personal responsibility, for which he received a standing ovation. He stayed long after to sign books for the more than 200 people who waited to meet him. In short, it was a spectacular event."

- Worthington Libraries

"The event was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed having Mr. Rather and he was gracious and kind and very easy to work with. It was a very interesting program. Thank you for all of your help with the event!"

- EDCUTAH

"The event went extremely well. The audience was one of the largest we’ve had, perhaps 1800 people. Mr. Rather is an absolute gentleman, wonderful to work with, and captivating from beginning to end."

- Lamar State College

"Mr. Rather was such a pleasure to have on campus. I have received so many compliments from our students, faculty/staff, and community! Thank you for all of your help with information and coordination. You helped us to make the event a success!"

- Texas A&M Commerce

"Your presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I especially appreciate the remarks you directed to our students about following their passion and preparing themselves to excel. I also gained a great deal from your assessment of news as entertainment and the risks we incur from the current trends."

- San Antonio College