London remembers US broadcaster

Richard Hottelet, who was trained by Murrow, was at the unveiling

A US journalist whose broadcasts from London helped rally American public opinion to Britain's side during World War II has been commemorated.

A blue plaque has been unveiled at Edward R Murrow's old home, Weymouth House in Hallam Street, central London.

Murrow, who reported from London at the height of the Blitz, would begin with his "This is London" call sign.

He famously took on Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954, with his television programme "See it Now".

Richard Hottelet, one of the "Murrow boys", who trained under the broadcaster in London, unveiled the plaque at Weymouth House - Murrow's home during the Blitz.

Edward Murrow reported from London at the height of the Blitz

Murrow, born in 1908, was a renowned figure in the history of American broadcast journalism, making more than 5,000 broadcasts.

He lived in Weymouth House from 1938 to 1946, while European director for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS).

He was a pioneer of on-the-spot reporting, and delivered one broadcast at the height of the Blitz from the roof of BBC Broadcasting House in central London as well as flying on 25 bombing raids over Europe.

Regular broadcasts for the BBC, including "Meet Uncle Sam" which promoted America to the British public, made his voice a familiar one in the UK.

He later returned to frontline broadcasting in the US.

His on-air conflicts with anti-Communist crusader McCarthy are portrayed in the Bafta and Oscar-nominated film "Good Night and Good Luck", directed by George Clooney.

BBC Chairman Michael Grade described Murrow as "the most distinguished figure in American broadcast journalism".

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1964 as well as receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He died from lung cancer in 1965.