Lou Cannon, the journalist who chronicled the life and career of Ronald Reagan in several books, has died at 92, the New York Times reports.

Cannon, a New York native, began his journalism career in 1957, writing for a series of California newspapers before taking a job at the San Jose Mercury News, where he covered the state’s political scene. He was at that newspaper when Reagan was elected governor of California as a Republican in 1966. Cannon then moved to the Washington Post in 1972, where he remained for 26 years.

He published his first book, Ronnie and Jesse: A Political Odyssey, in 1969; it focused on Reagan and Democratic politician Jesse M. Unruh, who went on to run unsuccessfully against Reagan for governor of California in 1970.

Cannon’s other books about the late president include President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime; Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio; and Governor Reagan: His Rise to Power. In 2008, he and his son, Carl M. Cannon, published Reagan’s Disciple: George W. Bush’s Troubled Quest for a Presidential Legacy.

Cannon’s admirers paid tribute to him on social media. On the platform X, journalist Judy Woodruff wrote, “So very sad to learn of the passing of Lou Cannon, dogged reporter, iconic journalist, most respected chronicler and biographer of Ronald Reagan, and a truly wonderful person. My deepest condolences to his family.”

And newscaster Andrea Mitchell posted, “The best Reagan biographer and a wonderful, kind colleague is gone. Our condolences to his wife Mary and his son Carl. May his memory be a blessing.” 

Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.