The Significance of Jane Nickerson
In journalism history, there is always the question of whether a topic or subject is significant. This is my rationale for why Jane Nickerson is important to study. First, her role as first food editor at the NY Times, the nation’s newspaper of record is clearly significant. Unfortunately, her successor Craig Claiborne has widely overshadowed Jane’s role. (To his credit, he does note her accomplishments in his memoir.)
Second, examining her overall career gives journalism history a richer understanding of women’s roles in the industry. If we are to believe the current story of Jane’s career, she left the NY Times to raise her children – it is almost as if she retired from journalism. The truth is that while she did take time off to raise her children, she also spent many years as a food editor at the NY Times-owned Lakeland Ledger and wrote one of the most important cookbooks on Florida food.
Third, the role of food journalism in newspapers has been dismissed as fluff or pandering to advertisers. This was far from the truth. After all, Jane’s NY Times column was called: “The News of Food.” And, there was plenty of news to be found. Above it just one example I have discovered.
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