(February 21, 1911-October 21, 1966) Born Ruth Ernestine Cook in Ambler, Pennsylvania. Educated at Swarthmore (B.A., 1933) and Radcliffe (1933-38). Worked as research assistant in Harvard government department (1937-40), as reporter for Executives War Digest (1944-45), as assistant editor for Consumer Reports (1947-51), and beginning in 1951 as freelance writer with husband Edward Brecher (see biographical note above for their joint publications). Died in Torrington, Connecticut.