(June 27, 1914-November 26, 1972) Born in Detroit. Attended Southeastern High School, where he excelled in baseball and basketball; decided to become sportswriter in 1933. After graduating from West Virginia State College with a degree in physical education (1937), was hired by Pittsburgh Courier; became assistant sports editor in 1938. Led campaign in Courier for integration of major league baseball; wrote Jackie Robinson: My Own Story (1948), an as-told-to biography. From 1947 to 1963 worked for Chicago Today (later Chicago American) as sportswriter; nominated for Pulitzer Prize for stories about segregation in baseball. From 1963 until his death, reported on sports for Chicago television stations; contributed weekly column to Chicago Sun-Times. Died in Chicago. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994.

Also see the Baseball Hall of Fame, where Wendell Smith's papers are housed. The site contains collection information, a biographical sketch of Wendell Smith, and a description of the papers.