His first assignment in Russia was as head of the United Press bureau in Moscow in 1944. After joining The New York Times in 1949 he became their Moscow correspondent and remained there for the next five years. Out of his observations during this period grew his celebrated series for the Times, "Russia Re-Viewed," which brought him the 1955 Pulitzer Prize. He subsequently wrote two books dealing with the same period, American in Russia (1955) and Moscow Journal--The End of Stalin (1961). His recently published The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad was widely acclaimed and an important best-seller.

As a result of his reports Mr. Salisbury was barred from Russia for five years, and was not allowed to return to the country until 1959. At that time he stayed for nearly six months, traveling thousands of miles within the Soviet Union. His 1960 book, To Moscow and Beyond, was a result of this trip. He has since revisited Russia in 1961-62, 1966, 1967, and 1969.