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. In 2003 he became the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute. He also has been the editor of Time Magazine.

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

Early life and education

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

Career

He started as a journalist at The Sunday Times of London. 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. After 23 years at the magazine he joined CNN as CEO in 2001. He left in 2001 to head up the Washington DC think tank, The Aspen Institute.

Isaacson is the chairman emeritus of Teach for America. Since 2012 he is the chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. 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. On 12 May 2014 Isaacson delivered the Jefferson Lecture at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. It was established by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The high honor is given "for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities".

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 3 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.