Karen Frances Blumenthal (March 18, 1959 – May 18, 2020) was an American business journalist, published author, and educator.

Karen Blumenthal
BornKaren Frances Blumenthal
(1959-03-18)March 18, 1959
Texas, U.S.
DiedMay 18, 2020(2020-05-18) (aged 61)
Occupation
  • Journalist
  • author
  • educator
EducationHillcrest High School
Duke University
Southern Methodist University (MBA)
SpouseScott McCartney

Early years

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Blumenthal was born in Texas and attended Hillcrest High School before enrolling in Duke University. She got an MBA from Southern Methodist University.[1]

Career

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Blumenthal was a financial journalist for the Wall Street Journal for 25 years. She previously worked as a bureau chief for the newspaper in Dallas,[2] and as a reporter for the Dallas morning News.[3]

Blumenthal wrote Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Woman Living History, a biography of Hillary Rodham Clinton, and followed Clinton through her 2016 presidential campaign; Blumenthal had to hastily rewrite the ending of the book when it became clear that Clinton had not won the election.[4]

She taught journalism with her husband at Duke University[5] and Texas Christian University.

She began writing young-adult novels in 2016.

Awards

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Blumenthal’s work has been awarded:[6]

  • Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
  • Jane Addams Children’s Book Award
  • Kentucky Bluegrass Award
  • YALSA’s Award for Nonfiction (three time finalist)

Her article: Grande Expectations: A Year in the Life of Starbucks’ Stock, was named by Kiplinger’s magazine as one of the five best investing reads of 2007.[7] In 2003, her Six Days in October: The Stock Market Crash of 1929, won the Sibert Honor Book.[8] In 2008, she received the Futrell Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communications and Journalism.[9]

Personal life

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Blumenthal was married to Scott McCartney, a fellow journalist at The Wall Street Journal.[10] The couple has two children.

She was an activist for Dallas public libraries.[11] Blumenthal’s hobbies included needlepoint, for which she won medals at the Texas State Fair, and baking.[4]

Blumenthal died from a heart attack in May 2020, at the age of 61.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Alvarado, Marissa (2020-05-19). "Journalist, author, Lake Highlands neighbor Karen Blumenthal dies at 61". Lake Highlands. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  2. ^ "Karen Blumenthal - News, Articles, Biography, Photos - WSJ.com". WSJ. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  3. ^ "Karen Blumenthal | Authors | Macmillan". US Macmillan. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  4. ^ a b Seelye, Katharine Q. (2020-05-31). "Karen Blumenthal, 61, Dies; Journalist Turned Young-Adult Author". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  5. ^ "Author, journalist and former Chronicle leader Karen Blumenthal remembered for passion, warmth". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  6. ^ "Karen Blumenthal, author and former Dallas Morning News business editor, dies". Dallas News. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  7. ^ "Karen Blumenthal | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  8. ^ "Karen Blumenthal". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  9. ^ "The Futrell Award". Dewitt Wallace Center. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  10. ^ McCartney, Scott (22 December 2021). "Grilling CEOs, Dancing to Australia: He Did It All From the Middle Seat". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  11. ^ Toler, Carol (2011-09-22). "Karen Blumenthal makes plea for Dallas Public Library". Lake Highlands. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  12. ^ Karen Blumenthal, 61, Dies; Journalist Turned Young-Adult Author