Charles Merz was born in Erie County, Ohio on February 23, 1893, to Dr. Charles H. Merz and Sakie (Prout) Merz. While at Sandusky High School Sandusky High School
Charles Merz graduated from Yale in 1915 and moved to New York Washington correspondent for the New Republic
In 1931 Charles Merz went to work for the New York Times, where he served as editor from 1938 to 1961. During the McCarthy era, Merz was known for his opposition to Senator Joseph McCarthy in his editorials. He also wrote several books, including: The Great American Bandwagon, The Dry Decade, And Then Came Ford, and Centerville , U.S.A. Centerville , U.S.A. was based primarily on Merz’s upbringing in Sandusky , Ohio
Charles Merz passed away on August 31, 1977. He is still remembered for his long career in journalism and his devotion to the principles of American democracy.