Journalist. Considered the father of the modern Newsweek magazine, he left an editor position at Time magazine to become Newsweek's senior business editor in 1955 and four years later moved up to senior editor and transformed the magazine into a strong competitor with its arch rival, Time. He persuaded Philip L. Graham of The Washington Post to acquire the magazine in 1960 and then became its executive editor. An innovator, he moved from the group journalism tradition typical then at Time and initiated by-lined articles and began featuring a number of columnists, such as Milton Friedman, Meg Greenfield and Stewart Alsop. In 1963 his magazine produced a special issue titled "The Negro in America," the work product of 40 researchers completing 1,200 interviews and earning Magazine of the Year award from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He rose to editor in chief in 1969 and subsequently to president, chief executive officer and finally board chairman. Retiring in 1976, he was appointed deputy mayor for economic development of New York City at $1 per year, restructured the department and helped the city avoid bankruptcy. In 1978 he became dean of the Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism and doubled the school's endowment; he also established two major centers: the Poliak Center for First Amendment Studies and the George T. Delacorte Center for Magazine Journalism before retiring in 1985. Died of complications from cancer.
Journalist. Considered the father of the modern Newsweek magazine, he left an editor position at Time magazine to become Newsweek's senior business editor in 1955 and four years later moved up to senior editor and transformed the magazine into a strong competitor with its arch rival, Time. He persuaded Philip L. Graham of The Washington Post to acquire the magazine in 1960 and then became its executive editor. An innovator, he moved from the group journalism tradition typical then at Time and initiated by-lined articles and began featuring a number of columnists, such as Milton Friedman, Meg Greenfield and Stewart Alsop. In 1963 his magazine produced a special issue titled "The Negro in America," the work product of 40 researchers completing 1,200 interviews and earning Magazine of the Year award from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He rose to editor in chief in 1969 and subsequently to president, chief executive officer and finally board chairman. Retiring in 1976, he was appointed deputy mayor for economic development of New York City at $1 per year, restructured the department and helped the city avoid bankruptcy. In 1978 he became dean of the Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism and doubled the school's endowment; he also established two major centers: the Poliak Center for First Amendment Studies and the George T. Delacorte Center for Magazine Journalism before retiring in 1985. Died of complications from cancer.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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