Robert Novak: 1931-2009

Associated Press staff reporter Robert Novak is shown at work as he talks on the telephone in the Senate Press Gallery on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 15, 1958. Novak, who was a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case, has died at the age of 78 after a battle with brain cancer.

Robert Novak is seen in Washington, in October 1966. Novak, who was a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case, has died. The political columnist, a diehard conservative, pugilistic debater and proud owner of the "Prince of Darkness" monikor, died Aug. 18, 2009, at age 78 after a battle with brain cancer.

White House advisor Karl Rove, left, and columnist Robert Novak are seen at a party marking the 40th anniversary of Novak's newspaper column, at the Army Navy Club in Washington in June 2003. Novak died early Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, according to his wife of 47 years, Geraldine Novak. He was 78.

Robert Novak is seen on the NBC program "Meet the Press" in October 2003. A household face as co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," Novak had been a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for decades. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July 2008, less than a week after he struck a pedestrian in downtown Washington with his Corvette and drove away.

Syndicated political columnist Robert Novak leaves federal court in Washington, Feb. 12, 2007. Novak, who was a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case, has died at the age of 78 after a battle with brain cancer.

Syndicated columnist Robert Novak, left, and his attorney James Hamilton, leave federal court in Washington, Feb. 12, 2007. Novak, who was a central figure in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case, has died at the age of 78.