[2] Born in Washington, D.C., Beveridge's father worked as a machinist for the federal government during the Great Depression.

Although he lived briefly in Arlington, VA and raised his family in Bethesda, MD, he regarded himself a lifelong resident of the District, where he graduated from Eastern High School.

After graduating from high school, Beveridge began his journalism career as a copyboy at the city's Evening Star.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1942, where he wrote press releases before returning to the Star for what became a 41-year career there as reporter, editor, editorial writer, and ombudsman.

Beveridge joined the Evening Star in 1940 as a copyboy while attending George Washington University in the city.