Alistair Cooke became one of the most recognizable British-American broadcasters, best known in the U.S. for hosting Masterpiece Theatre from 1971 to 1992. For nearly sixty years, he also presented the BBC’s Letters from America, explaining American culture to British audiences. His 1972 series America: A Personal History of the United Statesreflected his unique perspective, and in 1973, he received an honorary knighthood for his contributions to cultural understanding.