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| image = Walter Isaacson VF 2012 Shankbone 2.JPG
| image = Walter Isaacson VF 2012 Shankbone 2.JPG
| caption = Isaacson in 2012
| caption = Isaacson in 2012
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|5|20}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|5|20}}
| birth_place = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Author, journalist, professor, executive
| occupation = Author, journalist, professor, executive
| education = [[Harvard University]] (BA)<br>[[Pembroke College, Oxford]] (BA)
| education = [[Harvard University]] (BA)<br>[[Pembroke College, Oxford]] (BA)
| known_for = Biographies of [[Steve Jobs]], [[Albert Einstein]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Elon Musk]]
| children = 1
| children = 1
| known_for = Biographies of [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Albert Einstein]], [[Steve Jobs]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Elon Musk]]
| awards = [[Benjamin Franklin Medal]] (2013)<br>Nichols-Chancellor's Medal (2015)<br>[[National Humanities Medal]] (2023)
| awards = Benjamin Franklin Medal (2013)<br>Nichols-Chancellor's Medal (2015)<br>[[National Humanities Medal]] (2023)
| website =
}}
}}


'''Walter Seff Isaacson''' (born May 20, 1952) is an American author, journalist, and academic whose career has spanned the upper tiers of American media, public policy, and literary nonfiction. Born and raised in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, Isaacson has served as the editor of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, the chairman and CEO of [[CNN]], and the president and CEO of the [[Aspen Institute]]. He is known principally for his biographical works on major historical and contemporary figures, including [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Albert Einstein]], [[Steve Jobs]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Jennifer Doudna]], and [[Elon Musk]]. As of 2024, Isaacson holds a professorship at [[Tulane University]] and serves as an interviewer on the [[PBS]] and [[CNN]] news program ''[[Amanpour & Company]]''. His most recent book, ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' (2025), examines the opening line of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and its enduring relevance to American civic life.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Throughout his career, Isaacson has moved between journalism, executive leadership, government service, and writing, producing works that examine the intersection of creativity, science, and leadership.
'''Walter Seff Isaacson''' (born May 20, 1952) is an American journalist, author, and professor who has established a career at the intersection of media, public policy, and biographical literature. Born and raised in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], Isaacson served as editor of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', chairman and CEO of [[CNN]], and president and CEO of the [[Aspen Institute]], before turning his primary focus to writing biographies of figures whose lives shaped science, technology, politics, and the arts. His biographical subjects have included [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Albert Einstein]], [[Steve Jobs]], [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Jennifer Doudna]], and [[Elon Musk]]. A [[Rhodes Scholar]] educated at [[Harvard University]] and [[Pembroke College, Oxford]], Isaacson has also served in public roles, including as chair of the [[Broadcasting Board of Governors]] under President [[Barack Obama]] and as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority following [[Hurricane Katrina]]. As of 2024, he is a professor at [[Tulane University]] and an interviewer on the [[PBS]] and [[CNN]] news program ''[[Amanpour & Company]]''. His most recent book, ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' (2025), examines the opening sentence of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]] and its relevance to contemporary American civic life.<ref>{{cite news |last=Isaacson |first=Walter |date=2025-11-16 |title=Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Walter Seff Isaacson was born on May 20, 1952, in [[New Orleans]], Louisiana. He grew up in the city and has maintained deep ties to it throughout his life. New Orleans and its culture have remained a recurring touchstone in Isaacson's public identity; he has described himself on multiple occasions as a product of the city's distinctive traditions and civic character.<ref name="nolahome">{{cite news |title=Steve Jobs biographer is hometown boy in New Orleans |url=http://www.nola.com/books/index.ssf/2011/12/steve_jobs_biographer_is_homet.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Walter Seff Isaacson was born on May 20, 1952, in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]].<ref name="nola-hometown">{{cite news |date=2011-12-01 |title=Steve Jobs biographer is hometown boy Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.nola.com/books/index.ssf/2011/12/steve_jobs_biographer_is_homet.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He grew up in the city, which would remain a central part of his identity throughout his career. New Orleans's distinctive culture, history, and community shaped Isaacson's worldview, and he has returned to the city repeatedly in both personal and professional capacities over the decades. His upbringing in the culturally rich environment of southern Louisiana instilled in him an appreciation for storytelling and for the complexity of American history — themes that would later pervade his biographical work.


Details about Isaacson's parents and family background during his childhood years are limited in available sources. What is documented is that his upbringing in New Orleans instilled in him a strong sense of civic engagement that would later manifest in his involvement with the [[Louisiana Recovery Authority]] following [[Hurricane Katrina]] and his participation in planning efforts for the city's tricentennial celebration in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Landrieu unveils New Orleans tricentennial group |url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2014/12/01/mayor-landrieu-unveils-new-orleans-tricentennial-group |publisher=Best of New Orleans |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson's connection to New Orleans was publicly reaffirmed on numerous occasions throughout his career. He served as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which oversaw rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and was involved in planning for the city's tricentennial celebrations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Landrieu Unveils New Orleans Tricentennial Group |url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2014/12/01/mayor-landrieu-unveils-new-orleans-tricentennial-group |publisher=Best of New Orleans |date=2014-12-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2016-11-01 |title=Walter Isaacson planning committee |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/walter_isaacson_planning_commi.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His deep roots in the city have been a recurring subject in media profiles, and he has been described as a "hometown boy" by the ''[[The Times-Picayune|Times-Picayune]]''.<ref name="nola-hometown" />
 
Isaacson's connection to New Orleans has been a through-line of his public life. After decades spent in New York, Washington, D.C., and other centers of American media and policy, he returned to New Orleans to take up a professorship at Tulane University, where he has continued to write and teach.<ref name="nolahome" /> In 2025, he partnered with a Tulane student, Ishaan Pomichter, to launch Boswell & Co., a startup focused on publishing biographies and memoirs, reflecting both his commitment to the biographical form and his engagement with the university community.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025 |title=Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Isaacson attended [[Harvard University]], where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Harvard, he was involved in campus intellectual life, and the university has remained a significant institution in his orbit; he has returned to speak and participate in events there throughout his career.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 4, 2016 |title=Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/5/4/walter-isaacson/ |work=The Harvard Crimson |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In November 2025, he discussed his book ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' with the ''Harvard Gazette''.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 21, 2025 |title=Walter Isaacson discusses 'The Greatest Sentence Ever Written' |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/our-self-evident-truths/ |work=Harvard Gazette |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson attended [[Harvard University]], where he earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. He was a member of the university's intellectual community during the early 1970s, a period of considerable social and political upheaval on American college campuses.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-05-04 |title=Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/5/4/walter-isaacson/ |work=The Harvard Crimson |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


After Harvard, Isaacson won a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] and studied at [[Pembroke College, Oxford|Pembroke College]] at the [[University of Oxford]], where he earned a second Bachelor of Arts degree. The Rhodes Scholarship placed Isaacson among a cohort of American scholars recognized for academic achievement, leadership, and public service—qualities that would characterize his subsequent career in journalism, media leadership, and government.
Following his time at Harvard, Isaacson was awarded a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to study at [[Pembroke College, Oxford|Pembroke College]] at the [[University of Oxford]], where he earned a second Bachelor of Arts degree. The Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most competitive international academic awards, brought Isaacson into contact with a cohort of scholars from around the world and deepened his engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. His education at both Harvard and Oxford provided the intellectual foundation for his later work as a journalist and biographer, equipping him with the analytical frameworks and historical perspective that would characterize his writing career.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Journalism ===
=== Journalism and Media Leadership ===


Isaacson began his career in journalism, eventually joining ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine, where he rose through the editorial ranks. His early work at ''Time'' provided him with extensive experience in political and cultural reporting, and he developed a reputation as a sharp analyst of American public life. By the late 1990s, he had been named editor of the magazine. In that role, Isaacson sought to maintain ''Time''{{'}}s relevance and vitality as it approached its 75th anniversary. A 1998 profile in ''[[The New York Times]]'' described his efforts to keep the magazine vigorous, noting his active approach both at work and in his broader professional engagements.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 9, 1998 |title=At Work and at Play, Time's Editor Seeks to Keep Magazine Vigorous at 75 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/09/business/at-work-and-at-play-time-s-editor-seeks-to-keep-magazine-vigorous-at-75.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson began his career in journalism, rising through the ranks of American media organizations to hold several of the most prominent editorial and executive positions in the industry. His early career trajectory was marked by rapid advancement.<ref>{{cite news |date=1998-01-01 |title=Moving Up the Ladder Big Time |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/moving-ladder-big-time-article-1.878355 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


During his tenure as editor of ''Time'', Isaacson oversaw the magazine's coverage of major national and international events, shaping its editorial direction during a period of significant transformation in the American media landscape. His leadership at the magazine helped solidify his standing as one of the more prominent figures in American journalism.
==== ''Time'' Magazine ====


=== CNN ===
Isaacson served as editor of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', one of the most widely circulated newsweekly magazines in the United States. In this role, he oversaw the editorial direction of the publication during a period of transformation in the media industry. In a 1998 profile, ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Isaacson's efforts to keep the magazine "vigorous" as it approached its 75th anniversary, noting his approach of balancing the demands of work and editorial innovation.<ref>{{cite news |date=1998-03-09 |title=At Work and at Play, Time's Editor Seeks to Keep Magazine Vigorous at 75 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/09/business/at-work-and-at-play-time-s-editor-seeks-to-keep-magazine-vigorous-at-75.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His tenure at ''Time'' established his reputation as a leader in American journalism and positioned him for further leadership roles in media.


In 2001, Isaacson was named chairman and CEO of [[CNN]], taking the helm of the cable news network at a pivotal moment in its history. His appointment was covered in major media outlets, with ''[[USA Today]]'' reporting on the transition.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 6, 2001 |title=CNN |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2001-08-06-cnn.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Isaacson's tenure at CNN coincided with the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]] and a period of intense competition among cable news networks. His leadership drew scrutiny from media watchdog organizations; the group [[Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting]] (FAIR) published a critique suggesting that the new CNN chief was attempting to appeal to Republican political elites.<ref>{{cite web |title=New CNN Chief Trying to Please GOP Elite |url=http://fair.org/take-action/action-alerts/new-cnn-chief-trying-to-please-gop-elite/ |publisher=FAIR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
==== CNN ====


Isaacson's time at CNN was relatively brief but placed him at the center of American broadcast journalism during one of its most consequential periods. He departed the network to pursue other professional interests, including his role at the Aspen Institute and his growing career as a biographer.
In 2001, Isaacson was appointed chairman and CEO of [[CNN]], the cable news network founded by [[Ted Turner]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2001-08-06 |title=New CNN Chief |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2001-08-06-cnn.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His appointment came at a time of intense competition among cable news networks and during a period of profound national change following the [[September 11 attacks]] of 2001. Isaacson's leadership of CNN was the subject of media scrutiny and commentary from press watchdog organizations. [[Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting]] (FAIR) published an analysis of his early moves at the network.<ref>{{cite web |title=New CNN Chief Trying to Please GOP Elite |url=http://fair.org/take-action/action-alerts/new-cnn-chief-trying-to-please-gop-elite/ |publisher=FAIR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His time at CNN, though relatively brief, added broadcast news management to his professional portfolio alongside his print journalism background.


=== Aspen Institute ===
=== Aspen Institute ===


After leaving CNN, Isaacson became the president and CEO of the [[Aspen Institute]], a nonpartisan policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. In this role, he oversaw the Institute's programs on leadership, public policy, and international affairs. The Aspen Institute provided Isaacson with a platform to engage with a wide range of thinkers, business leaders, and policymakers, and he led the organization for several years. His leadership helped raise the Institute's public profile and expand its programming.
After leaving CNN, Isaacson became president and CEO of the [[Aspen Institute]], a nonpartisan policy studies organization based in [[Washington, D.C.]], that convenes leaders from various sectors for discussions on policy and societal issues. His leadership of the Aspen Institute further established him as a figure operating at the intersection of journalism, policy, and intellectual life. Through the Institute, Isaacson was involved in a range of initiatives addressing topics in technology, education, and public discourse.
 
During his time at the Aspen Institute, Isaacson was also involved with the [[My Brother's Keeper Alliance]], a public-private partnership launched during the [[Obama administration]] aimed at creating opportunities for young men of color.<ref>{{cite web |title=MBK Alliance Launch |url=http://www.mbkalliance.org/updates/mbk-alliance-launch |publisher=My Brother's Keeper Alliance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
=== Public Service ===
 
Isaacson has held several positions in public service alongside his work in media and writing. Under President [[Barack Obama]], he served as chair of the [[Broadcasting Board of Governors]] (BBG), the government board that oversees [[Voice of America]] and other U.S. international broadcasting operations. He held this position from July 2, 2010, to January 27, 2012, succeeding [[James K. Glassman]] and being succeeded by [[Jeff Shell]].
 
Isaacson also served as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which was established to coordinate and oversee the rebuilding of Louisiana following the devastation of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005. His involvement in recovery efforts reflected his continuing commitment to his home state. He was additionally a member of the [[Defense Innovation Board]], which advises the [[United States Department of Defense]] on technology and innovation matters.
 
=== Biographical Writing ===
 
Isaacson's most widely known work has been as a biographer. Over the course of several decades, he has authored a series of biographies focused on figures who made transformative contributions to politics, science, technology, and the arts. His approach to biography has been characterized by extensive research, access to his subjects or their papers, and an effort to connect individual lives to broader historical and cultural currents.
 
==== Early Books ====
 
Isaacson's first book, ''Pro and Con'' (1983), was followed by ''The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made'' (1986), co-authored with [[Evan Thomas]]. ''The Wise Men'' examined the lives and influence of six American foreign policy figures — including [[Dean Acheson]], [[Averell Harriman]], and [[George Kennan]] — who shaped the postwar international order.
 
In 1992, Isaacson published ''Kissinger: A Biography'', a comprehensive examination of the life and career of [[Henry Kissinger]], the former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] and [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]]. The book drew on extensive interviews and documents to present a detailed portrait of one of the most influential and controversial figures in American foreign policy.
 
==== ''Benjamin Franklin: An American Life'' ====


=== Government Service ===
In 2003, Isaacson published ''Benjamin Franklin: An American Life'', a biography of [[Benjamin Franklin]] that examined the Founding Father as a scientist, diplomat, writer, and political thinker. The book received attention from critics and readers. ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' reviewed the biography, and it became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web |title=Benjamin Franklin: An American Life — Book Review |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/benjamin-franklin-3/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The biography marked Isaacson's move toward writing about historical figures whose lives illuminated broader themes of innovation, curiosity, and the American experiment — themes that would recur throughout his subsequent work.


Isaacson has held several government-related positions throughout his career. He served as vice chair of the [[Louisiana Recovery Authority]], the body responsible for overseeing rebuilding efforts in Louisiana after [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005. His involvement in the Recovery Authority reflected his deep ties to New Orleans and his commitment to the city's recovery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Walter Isaacson planning committee |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/walter_isaacson_planning_commi.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
==== ''Einstein: His Life and Universe'' ====


From July 2, 2010, to January 27, 2012, Isaacson served as Chair of the [[Broadcasting Board of Governors]] (BBG), the government board that oversees [[Voice of America]] and other U.S. international broadcasting operations. He was appointed by President [[Barack Obama]] and succeeded [[James K. Glassman]] in the position; he was in turn succeeded by [[Jeff Shell]]. In this capacity, Isaacson was responsible for the strategic direction of U.S. government-funded international media at a time when American public diplomacy was adapting to the rise of digital communication platforms.
Isaacson's 2007 biography, ''Einstein: His Life and Universe'', examined the life of [[Albert Einstein]], drawing on newly available personal correspondence and archives to present a portrait of the physicist's intellectual development, personal relationships, and political views. ''Kirkus Reviews'' assessed the biography as a contribution to the understanding of Einstein's life and work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein: His Life and Universe — Book Review |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/einstein-4/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The book further solidified Isaacson's reputation as a biographer capable of making complex scientific and intellectual subjects accessible to a general readership.


Isaacson also served as a member of the [[Defense Innovation Board]], an advisory body to the [[United States Department of Defense]] focused on emerging technologies and innovation in national security.
==== ''Steve Jobs'' ====


Beyond government, Isaacson has been involved in civic initiatives. He participated in the launch of the [[My Brother's Keeper Alliance]], an initiative focused on opportunity for young men of color.<ref>{{cite web |title=MBK Alliance Launch |url=http://www.mbkalliance.org/updates/mbk-alliance-launch |publisher=My Brother's Keeper Alliance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2011, Isaacson published ''Steve Jobs'', an authorized biography of the [[Apple Inc.]] co-founder, who had personally asked Isaacson to write the book. The biography was based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years, as well as interviews with family members, colleagues, competitors, and friends. Jobs died on October 5, 2011, and the biography was published shortly afterward on October 24, 2011.


=== Writing Career ===
The book became an immediate commercial phenomenon. It rose rapidly to the number one spot on [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]'s bestseller list.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-10-01 |title=New Steve Jobs biography skyrockets to No. 1 spot on Amazon |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/new-steve-jobs-biography-skyrockets-to-no-1-spot-on-amazon.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The cover design featured a black-and-white photograph of Jobs, consistent with Apple's minimalist aesthetic.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Jobs Bio Cover Is All Apple, With Pub Date of November |url=http://allthingsd.com/20110815/new-jobs-bio-cover-is-all-apple-with-pub-date-of-november/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=2011-08-15 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Isaacson's career as an author has produced a substantial body of work, primarily in the biographical genre. His books have focused on figures who shaped science, technology, politics, and the arts, and several have become bestsellers.
Following the book's publication, Isaacson wrote an essay for the ''[[Harvard Business Review]]'' titled "The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs," which distilled insights from his research into Jobs's management and creative practices.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs |url=http://hbr.org/2012/04/the-real-leadership-lessons-of-steve-jobs/ar/1 |publisher=Harvard Business Review |date=2012-04-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The biography was later adapted into the 2015 film ''[[Steve Jobs (film)|Steve Jobs]]'', directed by [[Danny Boyle]] and written by [[Aaron Sorkin]].


His first book, ''Pro and Con'' (1983), was followed by ''The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made'' (1986), co-authored with [[Evan Thomas]]. The book examined six key American foreign policy figures—[[W. Averell Harriman]], [[Dean Acheson]], [[George F. Kennan]], [[Robert A. Lovett]], [[John J. McCloy]], and [[Charles E. Bohlen]]—and their role in shaping post-World War II American strategy.
==== ''The Innovators'' ====


In 1992, Isaacson published ''Kissinger: A Biography'', a comprehensive account of [[Henry Kissinger]]'s life and career. The book drew on extensive research and interviews and established Isaacson as a major figure in American biographical writing.
In 2014, Isaacson published ''The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution'', a departure from single-subject biography. The book examined the collaborative history of the [[digital revolution]], tracing contributions from [[Ada Lovelace]] and [[Charles Babbage]] through to the creators of the [[Internet]] and [[World Wide Web]]. A review in ''The Maroon'' at [[Tulane University]] discussed the book's exploration of how innovation emerges from teamwork and collaboration rather than solitary genius.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution |url=http://maroonweekly.com/innovators-group-hackers-geniuses-geeks-created-digital-revolution-walter-isaacson |work=The Maroon |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


''Benjamin Franklin: An American Life'' was published in 2003. The biography covered Franklin's multifaceted career as a printer, scientist, diplomat, and Founding Father. A review in ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' assessed the work as a detailed treatment of Franklin's life.<ref>{{cite web |title=Benjamin Franklin: An American Life |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/benjamin-franklin-3/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
==== ''Leonardo da Vinci'' ====


In 2007, Isaacson published ''Einstein: His Life and Universe'', a biography of [[Albert Einstein]] that drew on newly available personal correspondence. The book examined Einstein's scientific contributions alongside his personal life and political activities. ''Kirkus Reviews'' reviewed the biography, noting its scope and ambition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein: His Life and Universe |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/einstein-4/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2017, Isaacson published ''Leonardo da Vinci'', a biography of the Renaissance polymath based on thousands of pages from Leonardo's notebooks. The book examined Leonardo as an artist, scientist, engineer, and anatomist, emphasizing the connections between his curiosity about the natural world and his artistic achievements. The biography continued Isaacson's thematic interest in figures who combined creativity with scientific inquiry.


''American Sketches'' (2009) collected Isaacson's essays and reflections on American life and leadership.
==== ''The Code Breaker'' ====


''Steve Jobs'' (2011) became one of Isaacson's most commercially prominent works. Based on extensive interviews with [[Steve Jobs]] and more than a hundred family members, friends, and colleagues, the biography was published shortly after Jobs's death in October 2011. The book quickly rose to the number one spot on [[Amazon.com|Amazon]]'s bestseller list.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 2011 |title=New Steve Jobs biography skyrockets to No. 1 spot on Amazon |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/new-steve-jobs-biography-skyrockets-to-no-1-spot-on-amazon.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The publication date had been moved up from an originally planned 2012 release, and the cover design was described as "all Apple" in its aesthetic.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Jobs Bio Cover Is All Apple, with Pub Date of November |url=http://allthingsd.com/20110815/new-jobs-bio-cover-is-all-apple-with-pub-date-of-november/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=August 15, 2011 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Isaacson also published an article in the ''[[Harvard Business Review]]'' in April 2012 titled "The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs," which distilled insights from the biography into a framework for understanding Jobs's management and leadership style.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs |url=http://hbr.org/2012/04/the-real-leadership-lessons-of-steve-jobs/ar/1 |publisher=Harvard Business Review |date=April 2012 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
''The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race'' was published in 2021. The book centered on [[Jennifer Doudna]], the Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who was instrumental in the development of [[CRISPR]] gene-editing technology. The biography examined the science behind CRISPR, the competitive race to develop the technology, and the ethical questions raised by the ability to edit human genes. It marked Isaacson's first biography of a living woman and expanded his biographical scope into contemporary biotechnology.


''The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution'' was published in 2014. Unlike Isaacson's single-subject biographies, this work examined the collaborative nature of technological innovation, tracing the history of the computer and the internet through the stories of the people who created them.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson |url=http://maroonweekly.com/innovators-group-hackers-geniuses-geeks-created-digital-revolution-walter-isaacson |work=Maroon Weekly |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
==== ''Elon Musk'' ====


In 2017, Isaacson published ''Leonardo da Vinci'', a biography of the Renaissance polymath that explored his art, science, and engineering through the lens of his surviving notebooks.
In 2023, Isaacson published ''Elon Musk'', a biography of the entrepreneur behind [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]], [[SpaceX]], and [[X (social network)|X]] (formerly Twitter). The biography was based on extensive access to Musk over a period of approximately two years, during which Isaacson shadowed the entrepreneur and conducted numerous interviews with Musk and those in his orbit. The book examined Musk's childhood in South Africa, his business ventures, his management style, and his acquisition of Twitter.


''The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race'' (2021) chronicled the life and work of biochemist [[Jennifer Doudna]] and the development of [[CRISPR]] gene-editing technology, placing scientific discovery in the context of ethical and societal implications.
==== ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' ====


''Elon Musk'' (2023) was a biography of the technology entrepreneur [[Elon Musk]], continuing Isaacson's pattern of writing about figures at the intersection of technology, business, and innovation.
Isaacson's most recent book, ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' (2025), takes as its subject the opening sentence of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]]: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." The book examines how [[Thomas Jefferson]] composed the sentence, the philosophical influences behind it, and its enduring relevance to American civic life. In a discussion at Harvard University, Isaacson described the book as an exploration of how the Declaration's ideals might help a divided nation recall common values.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-11-21 |title=Walter Isaacson discusses 'The Greatest Sentence Ever Written' |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/our-self-evident-truths/ |work=Harvard Gazette |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He discussed the book at the [[National Constitution Center]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Walter Isaacson on the Greatest Sentence Ever Written |url=https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written |publisher=National Constitution Center |date=2025-11-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the 2025 [[Texas Tribune Festival]],<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-11-15 |title=Watch: Walter Isaacson speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/15/texas-tribune-festival-walter-isaacson/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the [[George W. Bush Presidential Center]],<ref>{{cite web |title=A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written |publisher=George W. Bush Presidential Center |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> and the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library|Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web |title=A Conversation with Walter Isaacson |url=https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> among other venues.


Isaacson's most recent book, ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' (2025), takes as its subject the opening sentence of the Declaration of Independence—"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal"—and examines how that statement has shaped American values and identity. The book was discussed in multiple prominent venues upon its release, including appearances at the [[George W. Bush Presidential Center]],<ref>{{cite web |title=A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written |publisher=George W. Bush Presidential Center |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the [[Ronald Reagan Presidential Library|Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web |title=A Conversation with Walter Isaacson |url=https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson |publisher=The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the [[National Constitution Center]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Walter Isaacson on the Greatest Sentence Ever Written |url=https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written |publisher=National Constitution Center |date=November 13, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> the [[Texas Tribune Festival]],<ref>{{cite news |date=November 15, 2025 |title=Watch: Walter Isaacson speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/15/texas-tribune-festival-walter-isaacson/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> and in an interview with ''[[The Free Press (media company)|The Free Press]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 22, 2025 |title=America Is Broken—Walter Isaacson Wants to Fix It |url=https://www.thefp.com/p/america-is-brokenwalter-isaacson |work=The Free Press |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Harvard Gazette'' described the book as exploring how the Declaration's foundational language might help a divided nation recall its common values.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 21, 2025 |title=Walter Isaacson discusses 'The Greatest Sentence Ever Written' |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/our-self-evident-truths/ |work=Harvard Gazette |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
A profile in ''The Free Press'' in November 2025 discussed Isaacson's views on the state of American civic life in connection with the book.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-11-22 |title=America Is Broken—Walter Isaacson Wants to Fix It |url=https://www.thefp.com/p/america-is-brokenwalter-isaacson |work=The Free Press |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Academic and Business Roles ===
=== Academic Career and Other Ventures ===


As of 2024, Isaacson holds a professorship at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans, where he teaches and continues his writing. In 2014, he was described as a best-selling biographer maintaining close ties to New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news |title=Best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.nola.com/celebrities/index.ssf/2014/01/best-selling_biographer_walter.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He also delivered a senior day address at [[Vanderbilt University]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Day Isaacson |url=http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/05/senior-day-isaacson/ |publisher=Vanderbilt University |date=May 2015 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As of 2024, Isaacson is a professor at [[Tulane University]] in his hometown of New Orleans. He has also delivered commencement addresses and lectures at other institutions, including [[Vanderbilt University]], where he spoke at the 2015 Senior Day ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Day: Isaacson |url=http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/05/senior-day-isaacson/ |publisher=Vanderbilt University |date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In addition to his academic work, Isaacson is an advisory partner at [[Perella Weinberg Partners]], a financial services firm based in New York City. In 2025, he co-founded Boswell & Co., a startup that publishes biographies and memoirs, with Tulane student Ishaan Pomichter. The venture reflects Isaacson's interest in expanding biographical writing through new formats and technologies, including the application of artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025 |title=Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson serves as an advisory partner at [[Perella Weinberg Partners]], a [[New York City]]–based financial services firm, reflecting his continued involvement in the business world alongside his writing and academic pursuits.


Since 2018, Isaacson has served as an interviewer on ''[[Amanpour & Company]]'', a news interview program broadcast on PBS and CNN. In this role, he conducts in-depth conversations with newsmakers, authors, and public figures.
In 2024, Isaacson and Ishaan Pomichter, a Tulane student, launched Boswell & Co., a startup that publishes biographies and memoirs utilizing artificial intelligence tools.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-12-01 |title=Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Isaacson was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has maintained a strong connection to the city throughout his career. He has one child.<ref name="nolahome" /> After spending much of his professional life in New York and Washington, D.C., Isaacson returned to New Orleans, where he is based at Tulane University.
Isaacson was born and raised in [[New Orleans]], and he has maintained close ties to the city throughout his life. He has one child.<ref name="nola-hometown" /> After spending much of his career based in New York and Washington, D.C., Isaacson returned to New Orleans, where he took up a professorship at Tulane University.


His civic engagement with New Orleans has been substantial. He served as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority following Hurricane Katrina and participated in planning for the city's 2018 tricentennial celebration. He has been described in the New Orleans media as a hometown figure who remained deeply connected to the city despite his national prominence.<ref name="nolahome" />
His involvement in post-Katrina recovery efforts as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority demonstrated his personal commitment to the rebuilding of his home city and state. He was also involved in efforts related to the New Orleans tricentennial in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor Landrieu Unveils New Orleans Tricentennial Group |url=http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2014/12/01/mayor-landrieu-unveils-new-orleans-tricentennial-group |publisher=Best of New Orleans |date=2014-12-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Since 2018, Isaacson has served as an interviewer on ''[[Amanpour & Company]]'', the PBS and CNN news program hosted by [[Christiane Amanpour]].


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Isaacson has received several significant awards and honors over the course of his career. In 2013, he was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal by the [[Royal Society of Arts]] (RSA) in recognition of his contributions to understanding Franklin's legacy and to public intellectual life.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Benjamin Franklin Medal Presentation to Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.blog.rsa-us.org/2013/10/2013-benjamin-franklin-medal-presentation-to-walter-isaacson/ |publisher=RSA |date=October 2013 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson has received a number of awards and honors for his contributions to journalism, literature, and public service.


In 2015, Isaacson received the Nichols-Chancellor's Medal from Vanderbilt University, an honor recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
In 2013, he received the [[Benjamin Franklin Medal (Franklin Institute)|Benjamin Franklin Medal]] from the [[Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce]] (RSA) in recognition of his contributions to understanding innovation and creativity.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Benjamin Franklin Medal Presentation to Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.blog.rsa-us.org/2013/10/2013-benjamin-franklin-medal-presentation-to-walter-isaacson/ |publisher=RSA US |date=2013-10-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In 2015, he received the Nichols-Chancellor's Medal from [[Vanderbilt University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Day: Isaacson |url=http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/05/senior-day-isaacson/ |publisher=Vanderbilt University |date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2023, Isaacson was awarded the [[National Humanities Medal]], one of the highest honors bestowed by the United States government for contributions to the humanities.
In 2023, Isaacson was awarded the [[National Humanities Medal]], one of the highest honors bestowed by the United States government for contributions to the humanities.


His books have received widespread critical attention. ''Steve Jobs'' became an international bestseller and was the subject of extensive media coverage upon its release in 2011. His biographies of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein were reviewed in major publications including ''Kirkus Reviews'' and received attention for their scope and narrative approach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Benjamin Franklin: An American Life |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/benjamin-franklin-3/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Einstein: His Life and Universe |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/einstein-4/ |publisher=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His status as a Rhodes Scholar from Harvard and Oxford placed him early in his career within a network of scholars and public figures, and his subsequent appointments to positions at ''Time'', CNN, the Aspen Institute, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors reflected a pattern of recognition across multiple sectors of American professional life. His biographies have been bestsellers, with ''Steve Jobs'' in particular achieving rapid commercial success upon its release.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-10-01 |title=New Steve Jobs biography skyrockets to No. 1 spot on Amazon |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/new-steve-jobs-biography-skyrockets-to-no-1-spot-on-amazon.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Isaacson has been invited to speak at numerous institutions, including presidential libraries, universities, and policy organizations. In 2025 alone, he appeared at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, the National Constitution Center, and the Texas Tribune Festival to discuss ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written''.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written |publisher=George W. Bush Presidential Center |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Isaacson was also featured in ''NOLA.com'' as a prominent figure in New Orleans's cultural and intellectual life, with local media describing him as among the city's most notable residents.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-01-01 |title=Best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson |url=http://www.nola.com/celebrities/index.ssf/2014/01/best-selling_biographer_walter.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Isaacson's body of work has contributed to the genre of popular biography in American nonfiction. His approach—combining extensive interviews, archival research, and narrative storytelling—has produced accounts of figures ranging from 18th-century statesmen to 21st-century technology entrepreneurs. His biographies of Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Leonardo da Vinci have reached large readerships and have been translated into numerous languages.
Isaacson's body of biographical work has contributed to public understanding of figures whose lives intersected with major developments in science, technology, politics, and the arts. His biographies of Franklin, Einstein, Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and others share a thematic interest in the nature of creativity, the relationship between science and art, and the qualities that enable individuals to produce work that reshapes their fields.


His career trajectory—from journalist to magazine editor to cable news executive to think tank leader to biographer and professor—reflects a pattern of engagement across American institutional life. His government service, including roles overseeing U.S. international broadcasting and post-Katrina recovery, placed him at the intersection of media, policy, and civic life.
His career has spanned the traditional boundaries between journalism, media management, public policy, and scholarship. By holding leadership positions at ''Time'', CNN, the Aspen Institute, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors — while simultaneously producing a body of literary work — Isaacson has operated across sectors in a manner that few contemporary American journalists or authors have matched.


The publication of ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'' in 2025 represented a shift in Isaacson's focus from individual biography to the examination of foundational American ideas. The book's reception in media and at presidential institutions suggests a continued public interest in Isaacson's analysis of American history and values.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 16, 2025 |title=Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
With ''The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'', published in advance of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, Isaacson has turned his biographical lens toward an idea rather than a single individual, examining the philosophical and political foundations of American democracy through the Declaration of Independence.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-11-16 |title=Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His launch of Boswell & Co. in 2024, a biography-focused startup integrating AI tools, suggests a continuing interest in how technology intersects with the craft of storytelling — a theme consistent with the concerns of much of his earlier work.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-12-01 |title=Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
His founding of Boswell & Co. in 2025, a biography-publishing startup incorporating AI tools, indicates an ongoing interest in evolving the biographical form and making it more widely accessible.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025 |title=Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student |url=https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html |work=NOLA.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 04:22, 24 February 2026


Walter Isaacson
Isaacson in 2012
Walter Isaacson
BornWalter Seff Isaacson
20 5, 1952
BirthplaceNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAuthor, journalist, professor, executive
Known forBiographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, Elon Musk
EducationHarvard University (BA)
Pembroke College, Oxford (BA)
Children1
AwardsBenjamin Franklin Medal (2013)
Nichols-Chancellor's Medal (2015)
National Humanities Medal (2023)

Walter Seff Isaacson (born May 20, 1952) is an American journalist, author, and professor who has established a career at the intersection of media, public policy, and biographical literature. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Isaacson served as editor of Time, chairman and CEO of CNN, and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, before turning his primary focus to writing biographies of figures whose lives shaped science, technology, politics, and the arts. His biographical subjects have included Henry Kissinger, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, Jennifer Doudna, and Elon Musk. A Rhodes Scholar educated at Harvard University and Pembroke College, Oxford, Isaacson has also served in public roles, including as chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors under President Barack Obama and as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority following Hurricane Katrina. As of 2024, he is a professor at Tulane University and an interviewer on the PBS and CNN news program Amanpour & Company. His most recent book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025), examines the opening sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence and its relevance to contemporary American civic life.[1]

Early Life

Walter Seff Isaacson was born on May 20, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2] He grew up in the city, which would remain a central part of his identity throughout his career. New Orleans's distinctive culture, history, and community shaped Isaacson's worldview, and he has returned to the city repeatedly in both personal and professional capacities over the decades. His upbringing in the culturally rich environment of southern Louisiana instilled in him an appreciation for storytelling and for the complexity of American history — themes that would later pervade his biographical work.

Isaacson's connection to New Orleans was publicly reaffirmed on numerous occasions throughout his career. He served as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which oversaw rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and was involved in planning for the city's tricentennial celebrations.[3][4] His deep roots in the city have been a recurring subject in media profiles, and he has been described as a "hometown boy" by the Times-Picayune.[2]

Education

Isaacson attended Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a member of the university's intellectual community during the early 1970s, a period of considerable social and political upheaval on American college campuses.[5]

Following his time at Harvard, Isaacson was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Pembroke College at the University of Oxford, where he earned a second Bachelor of Arts degree. The Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most competitive international academic awards, brought Isaacson into contact with a cohort of scholars from around the world and deepened his engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. His education at both Harvard and Oxford provided the intellectual foundation for his later work as a journalist and biographer, equipping him with the analytical frameworks and historical perspective that would characterize his writing career.

Career

Journalism and Media Leadership

Isaacson began his career in journalism, rising through the ranks of American media organizations to hold several of the most prominent editorial and executive positions in the industry. His early career trajectory was marked by rapid advancement.[6]

Time Magazine

Isaacson served as editor of Time, one of the most widely circulated newsweekly magazines in the United States. In this role, he oversaw the editorial direction of the publication during a period of transformation in the media industry. In a 1998 profile, The New York Times described Isaacson's efforts to keep the magazine "vigorous" as it approached its 75th anniversary, noting his approach of balancing the demands of work and editorial innovation.[7] His tenure at Time established his reputation as a leader in American journalism and positioned him for further leadership roles in media.

CNN

In 2001, Isaacson was appointed chairman and CEO of CNN, the cable news network founded by Ted Turner.[8] His appointment came at a time of intense competition among cable news networks and during a period of profound national change following the September 11 attacks of 2001. Isaacson's leadership of CNN was the subject of media scrutiny and commentary from press watchdog organizations. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) published an analysis of his early moves at the network.[9] His time at CNN, though relatively brief, added broadcast news management to his professional portfolio alongside his print journalism background.

Aspen Institute

After leaving CNN, Isaacson became president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C., that convenes leaders from various sectors for discussions on policy and societal issues. His leadership of the Aspen Institute further established him as a figure operating at the intersection of journalism, policy, and intellectual life. Through the Institute, Isaacson was involved in a range of initiatives addressing topics in technology, education, and public discourse.

During his time at the Aspen Institute, Isaacson was also involved with the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, a public-private partnership launched during the Obama administration aimed at creating opportunities for young men of color.[10]

Public Service

Isaacson has held several positions in public service alongside his work in media and writing. Under President Barack Obama, he served as chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the government board that oversees Voice of America and other U.S. international broadcasting operations. He held this position from July 2, 2010, to January 27, 2012, succeeding James K. Glassman and being succeeded by Jeff Shell.

Isaacson also served as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which was established to coordinate and oversee the rebuilding of Louisiana following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. His involvement in recovery efforts reflected his continuing commitment to his home state. He was additionally a member of the Defense Innovation Board, which advises the United States Department of Defense on technology and innovation matters.

Biographical Writing

Isaacson's most widely known work has been as a biographer. Over the course of several decades, he has authored a series of biographies focused on figures who made transformative contributions to politics, science, technology, and the arts. His approach to biography has been characterized by extensive research, access to his subjects or their papers, and an effort to connect individual lives to broader historical and cultural currents.

Early Books

Isaacson's first book, Pro and Con (1983), was followed by The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made (1986), co-authored with Evan Thomas. The Wise Men examined the lives and influence of six American foreign policy figures — including Dean Acheson, Averell Harriman, and George Kennan — who shaped the postwar international order.

In 1992, Isaacson published Kissinger: A Biography, a comprehensive examination of the life and career of Henry Kissinger, the former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor. The book drew on extensive interviews and documents to present a detailed portrait of one of the most influential and controversial figures in American foreign policy.

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

In 2003, Isaacson published Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, a biography of Benjamin Franklin that examined the Founding Father as a scientist, diplomat, writer, and political thinker. The book received attention from critics and readers. Kirkus Reviews reviewed the biography, and it became a commercial success.[11] The biography marked Isaacson's move toward writing about historical figures whose lives illuminated broader themes of innovation, curiosity, and the American experiment — themes that would recur throughout his subsequent work.

Einstein: His Life and Universe

Isaacson's 2007 biography, Einstein: His Life and Universe, examined the life of Albert Einstein, drawing on newly available personal correspondence and archives to present a portrait of the physicist's intellectual development, personal relationships, and political views. Kirkus Reviews assessed the biography as a contribution to the understanding of Einstein's life and work.[12] The book further solidified Isaacson's reputation as a biographer capable of making complex scientific and intellectual subjects accessible to a general readership.

Steve Jobs

In 2011, Isaacson published Steve Jobs, an authorized biography of the Apple Inc. co-founder, who had personally asked Isaacson to write the book. The biography was based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years, as well as interviews with family members, colleagues, competitors, and friends. Jobs died on October 5, 2011, and the biography was published shortly afterward on October 24, 2011.

The book became an immediate commercial phenomenon. It rose rapidly to the number one spot on Amazon's bestseller list.[13] The cover design featured a black-and-white photograph of Jobs, consistent with Apple's minimalist aesthetic.[14]

Following the book's publication, Isaacson wrote an essay for the Harvard Business Review titled "The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs," which distilled insights from his research into Jobs's management and creative practices.[15] The biography was later adapted into the 2015 film Steve Jobs, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin.

The Innovators

In 2014, Isaacson published The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, a departure from single-subject biography. The book examined the collaborative history of the digital revolution, tracing contributions from Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage through to the creators of the Internet and World Wide Web. A review in The Maroon at Tulane University discussed the book's exploration of how innovation emerges from teamwork and collaboration rather than solitary genius.[16]

Leonardo da Vinci

In 2017, Isaacson published Leonardo da Vinci, a biography of the Renaissance polymath based on thousands of pages from Leonardo's notebooks. The book examined Leonardo as an artist, scientist, engineer, and anatomist, emphasizing the connections between his curiosity about the natural world and his artistic achievements. The biography continued Isaacson's thematic interest in figures who combined creativity with scientific inquiry.

The Code Breaker

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race was published in 2021. The book centered on Jennifer Doudna, the Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who was instrumental in the development of CRISPR gene-editing technology. The biography examined the science behind CRISPR, the competitive race to develop the technology, and the ethical questions raised by the ability to edit human genes. It marked Isaacson's first biography of a living woman and expanded his biographical scope into contemporary biotechnology.

Elon Musk

In 2023, Isaacson published Elon Musk, a biography of the entrepreneur behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). The biography was based on extensive access to Musk over a period of approximately two years, during which Isaacson shadowed the entrepreneur and conducted numerous interviews with Musk and those in his orbit. The book examined Musk's childhood in South Africa, his business ventures, his management style, and his acquisition of Twitter.

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

Isaacson's most recent book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025), takes as its subject the opening sentence of the United States Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." The book examines how Thomas Jefferson composed the sentence, the philosophical influences behind it, and its enduring relevance to American civic life. In a discussion at Harvard University, Isaacson described the book as an exploration of how the Declaration's ideals might help a divided nation recall common values.[17] He discussed the book at the National Constitution Center,[18] the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival,[19] the George W. Bush Presidential Center,[20] and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation,[21] among other venues.

A profile in The Free Press in November 2025 discussed Isaacson's views on the state of American civic life in connection with the book.[22]

Academic Career and Other Ventures

As of 2024, Isaacson is a professor at Tulane University in his hometown of New Orleans. He has also delivered commencement addresses and lectures at other institutions, including Vanderbilt University, where he spoke at the 2015 Senior Day ceremony.[23]

Isaacson serves as an advisory partner at Perella Weinberg Partners, a New York City–based financial services firm, reflecting his continued involvement in the business world alongside his writing and academic pursuits.

In 2024, Isaacson and Ishaan Pomichter, a Tulane student, launched Boswell & Co., a startup that publishes biographies and memoirs utilizing artificial intelligence tools.[24]

Personal Life

Isaacson was born and raised in New Orleans, and he has maintained close ties to the city throughout his life. He has one child.[2] After spending much of his career based in New York and Washington, D.C., Isaacson returned to New Orleans, where he took up a professorship at Tulane University.

His involvement in post-Katrina recovery efforts as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority demonstrated his personal commitment to the rebuilding of his home city and state. He was also involved in efforts related to the New Orleans tricentennial in 2018.[25]

Since 2018, Isaacson has served as an interviewer on Amanpour & Company, the PBS and CNN news program hosted by Christiane Amanpour.

Recognition

Isaacson has received a number of awards and honors for his contributions to journalism, literature, and public service.

In 2013, he received the Benjamin Franklin Medal from the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) in recognition of his contributions to understanding innovation and creativity.[26]

In 2015, he received the Nichols-Chancellor's Medal from Vanderbilt University.[27]

In 2023, Isaacson was awarded the National Humanities Medal, one of the highest honors bestowed by the United States government for contributions to the humanities.

His status as a Rhodes Scholar from Harvard and Oxford placed him early in his career within a network of scholars and public figures, and his subsequent appointments to positions at Time, CNN, the Aspen Institute, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors reflected a pattern of recognition across multiple sectors of American professional life. His biographies have been bestsellers, with Steve Jobs in particular achieving rapid commercial success upon its release.[28]

Isaacson was also featured in NOLA.com as a prominent figure in New Orleans's cultural and intellectual life, with local media describing him as among the city's most notable residents.[29]

Legacy

Isaacson's body of biographical work has contributed to public understanding of figures whose lives intersected with major developments in science, technology, politics, and the arts. His biographies of Franklin, Einstein, Jobs, Leonardo da Vinci, and others share a thematic interest in the nature of creativity, the relationship between science and art, and the qualities that enable individuals to produce work that reshapes their fields.

His career has spanned the traditional boundaries between journalism, media management, public policy, and scholarship. By holding leadership positions at Time, CNN, the Aspen Institute, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors — while simultaneously producing a body of literary work — Isaacson has operated across sectors in a manner that few contemporary American journalists or authors have matched.

With The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, published in advance of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, Isaacson has turned his biographical lens toward an idea rather than a single individual, examining the philosophical and political foundations of American democracy through the Declaration of Independence.[30] His launch of Boswell & Co. in 2024, a biography-focused startup integrating AI tools, suggests a continuing interest in how technology intersects with the craft of storytelling — a theme consistent with the concerns of much of his earlier work.[31]

References

  1. ↑ IsaacsonWalterWalter"Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"".CBS News.2025-11-16.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Steve Jobs biographer is hometown boy Walter Isaacson".NOLA.com.2011-12-01.http://www.nola.com/books/index.ssf/2011/12/steve_jobs_biographer_is_homet.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ "Mayor Landrieu Unveils New Orleans Tricentennial Group".Best of New Orleans.2014-12-01.http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2014/12/01/mayor-landrieu-unveils-new-orleans-tricentennial-group.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Walter Isaacson planning committee".NOLA.com.2016-11-01.http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/11/walter_isaacson_planning_commi.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Walter Isaacson".The Harvard Crimson.2016-05-04.http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/5/4/walter-isaacson/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "Moving Up the Ladder Big Time".New York Daily News.1998-01-01.http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/moving-ladder-big-time-article-1.878355.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "At Work and at Play, Time's Editor Seeks to Keep Magazine Vigorous at 75".The New York Times.1998-03-09.https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/09/business/at-work-and-at-play-time-s-editor-seeks-to-keep-magazine-vigorous-at-75.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "New CNN Chief".USA Today.2001-08-06.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2001-08-06-cnn.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "New CNN Chief Trying to Please GOP Elite".FAIR.http://fair.org/take-action/action-alerts/new-cnn-chief-trying-to-please-gop-elite/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "MBK Alliance Launch".My Brother's Keeper Alliance.http://www.mbkalliance.org/updates/mbk-alliance-launch.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life — Book Review".Kirkus Reviews.https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/benjamin-franklin-3/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Einstein: His Life and Universe — Book Review".Kirkus Reviews.https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-isaacson/einstein-4/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "New Steve Jobs biography skyrockets to No. 1 spot on Amazon".Los Angeles Times.2011-10-01.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/new-steve-jobs-biography-skyrockets-to-no-1-spot-on-amazon.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "New Jobs Bio Cover Is All Apple, With Pub Date of November".AllThingsD.2011-08-15.http://allthingsd.com/20110815/new-jobs-bio-cover-is-all-apple-with-pub-date-of-november/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs".Harvard Business Review.2012-04-01.http://hbr.org/2012/04/the-real-leadership-lessons-of-steve-jobs/ar/1.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution".The Maroon.http://maroonweekly.com/innovators-group-hackers-geniuses-geeks-created-digital-revolution-walter-isaacson.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Walter Isaacson discusses 'The Greatest Sentence Ever Written'".Harvard Gazette.2025-11-21.https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/our-self-evident-truths/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Walter Isaacson on the Greatest Sentence Ever Written".National Constitution Center.2025-11-13.https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Watch: Walter Isaacson speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival".The Texas Tribune.2025-11-15.https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/15/texas-tribune-festival-walter-isaacson/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "A Conversation with Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"".George W. Bush Presidential Center.https://www.bushcenter.org/events-and-exhibits/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "A Conversation with Walter Isaacson".Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute.https://www.reaganfoundation.org/events/a-conversation-with-walter-isaacson.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "America Is Broken—Walter Isaacson Wants to Fix It".The Free Press.2025-11-22.https://www.thefp.com/p/america-is-brokenwalter-isaacson.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Senior Day: Isaacson".Vanderbilt University.2015-05-01.http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/05/senior-day-isaacson/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student".NOLA.com.2025-12-01.https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Mayor Landrieu Unveils New Orleans Tricentennial Group".Best of New Orleans.2014-12-01.http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2014/12/01/mayor-landrieu-unveils-new-orleans-tricentennial-group.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "2013 Benjamin Franklin Medal Presentation to Walter Isaacson".RSA US.2013-10-01.http://www.blog.rsa-us.org/2013/10/2013-benjamin-franklin-medal-presentation-to-walter-isaacson/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  27. ↑ "Senior Day: Isaacson".Vanderbilt University.2015-05-01.http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/05/senior-day-isaacson/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  28. ↑ "New Steve Jobs biography skyrockets to No. 1 spot on Amazon".Los Angeles Times.2011-10-01.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/new-steve-jobs-biography-skyrockets-to-no-1-spot-on-amazon.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  29. ↑ "Best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson".NOLA.com.2014-01-01.http://www.nola.com/celebrities/index.ssf/2014/01/best-selling_biographer_walter.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  30. ↑ "Walter Isaacson on "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written"".CBS News.2025-11-16.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-isaacson-on-the-greatest-sentence-ever-written/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  31. ↑ "Walter Isaacson has new business partner for his biography company — his AI savvy Tulane student".NOLA.com.2025-12-01.https://www.nola.com/news/business/innovation/walter-isaacson-has-new-business-partner-for-his-biography-company-his-ai-savvy-tulane-student/article_9e1ebf79-579c-4e90-9393-5a219e2abc65.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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