Irving E. Fang

Irving E. Fang was an American journalist, teacher, and author who became a professor of journalism at the University of Minnesota, where he taught for nearly four decades. Across his career, he also worked in news and publishing, with roles that included Reuters, ABC News, and the Daily Times of Nigeria.

He wrote several books on media and communication, including A History of Mass Communication and Alphabet to Internet. His work focused on how major shifts in communication technology changed the way societies share information, learn, and understand the world.

Fang died in 2016 at age 87. He is remembered as a dedicated educator whose writing made the history of media feel clear, useful, and closely tied to modern life.