Rountree, Martha J. (23 October 1911–23 August 1999), radio and television producer, talk show moderator, and cocreator of Meet the Press, radio and television producer, talk show moderator, and cocreator of Meet the Press, was born in Gainesville, Florida, but raised in Columbia, South Carolina, the second oldest of five children of Earl Rountree, a salesman (at times he sold real estate, and at other times he sold cars), and Mary Jane Tennant Rountree. From the time she was little, Martha was interested in writing. Her first short story was published by a local newspaper when she was only nine years old. But tragedy struck her family when she was sixteen: Her father died suddenly, and he did not leave any money to provide for his wife and children. Despite financial hardship, Martha Rountree managed to attend the University of South Carolina for several years before dropping out to pursue a career in journalism. She got some experience working for the ...
