Walter Isaacson

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.G. Whiz, Steve Jobs - 101 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know (USA: G Whiz Books, 2014), p. 8

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 

Category:1952 births
Category:Living people
Category:Rhodes scholars
Category:American chief executives
Category:Journalists from Louisiana
Category:Businesspeople from Louisiana
Category:Writers from New Orleans