Harold Ross

Date of Birth: November 6, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: December 6, 1951

Biography

Harold Wallace Ross was an influential American editor best known for founding “The New Yorker” magazine in 1925. Born in Aspen, Colorado, Ross developed an early interest in journalism, working for various newspapers across the United States. His career took a significant turn during World War I when he served as a soldier and editor of the military newspaper “Stars and Stripes.” This experience honed his editorial skills and broadened his worldview. After the war, Ross moved to New York City, where he mingled with the literary elite and envisioned a new kind of magazine—one that would encapsulate the city’s sophisticated spirit with a blend of reportage, commentary, fiction, and humor. Under Ross’s leadership, “The New Yorker” became a beacon of literary excellence and urban sophistication, attracting contributions from some of the 20th century’s most notable writers and cartoonists. Ross’s commitment to high editorial standards and his keen editorial eye helped shape the magazine’s distinctive voice, making it an enduring cultural institution.

5 Interesting Facts about Harold Ross

1. Harold Ross co-founded “The New Yorker” with his wife, Jane Grant, who was a reporter for “The New York Times.”

2. Despite his lack of formal education, Ross’s editorial genius was widely recognized and respected in the literary community.

3. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail, often spending hours perfecting a single sentence or headline.

4. Ross served as the editor-in-chief of “The New Yorker” from its inception in 1925 until his death in 1951.

5. He was a notorious night owl, often working late into the night and holding editorial meetings at unconventional hours.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harold Ross

1. “Editing is the same as quarreling with writers—same thing exactly.”

2. “I want the magazine to be a reflection of metropolitan life.”

3. “If you can’t be funny, be interesting.”

4. “The New Yorker will be a reflection in word and picture of metropolitan life. It will be human. Its general tenor will be one of gaiety, wit, and satire.”

5. “The challenge is to find the balance between being too serious and too flippant.”