Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson in 2012

Walter Isaacson (born May 20, 1952) is an American businessman and journalist. In 2001 he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CNN.[1] In 2003 he became the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute.[2] He also has been the editor of Time Magazine.[3]

Isaacson has written biographies of Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and Henry Kissinger.[4] He also co-authored the book The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.[4] In 2012 Time Magazine named him one of the top 100 most influential people in the world.[5]

Early life and education

Isaacson was born on May 20, 1952 in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] His father Irwin was an engineer. His mother Betsy was a Realtor.[1] Isaacson grew up in New Orleans. He graduated from Harvard University in 1974. Isaacson attended Pembroke College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.[6]

Career

He started as a journalist at The Sunday Times of London.[6] He returned home to write for New Orleans Times-Picayune/States-Item. In 1978 he started as a political correspondent for Time Magazine. He became the editor of Time in 1996.[6] After 23 years at the magazine he joined CNN as CEO in 2001.[7] He left in 2001 to head up the Washington DC think tank, The Aspen Institute.

Isaacson is the chairman emeritus of Teach for America.[4] Since 2012 he is the chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.[4] Isaacson is a member of the board for United Airlines and Tulane University. In 2010 he was elected to the Board of Overseers of Harvard University.[8] On 12 May 2014 Isaacson delivered the Jefferson Lecture at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.[9] It was established by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The high honor is given "for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities".[10]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Walter Isaacson.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David Skinner. "Awards & Honors: 2014 Jefferson Lecturer Walter Isaacson". National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Isaacson to leave CNN, join Aspen Institute". CNN. 13 January 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  3. ↑ G. Whiz, Steve Jobs - 101 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know (USA: G Whiz Books, 2014), p. 8
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "About Walter Isaacson". Aspen Institute. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Steve Jobs Author Walter Isaacson Visits Harvard COOP". Barnes & Noble College. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Kelsey Alpaio (13 November 2014). "Bestselling author, journalist Walter Isaacson selected as Lehigh's 147th commencement speaker". The Brown and White, Lehigh University. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Dana Calvo. "CNN News Group Picks Time Exec for CEO". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Board of Overseers". Harvard University. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  9. ↑ Philip Kennicott. "Walter Isaacson Delivers 43rd Jefferson Lecture". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Jefferson Lecture". National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved 17 February 2015.