Lewis H. Lapham

Date of Birth: January 8, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Lewis H. Lapham is a prominent American writer, editor, and journalist known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on contemporary society and politics. He was born into a prominent family with a rich history in both business and journalism, which deeply influenced his career path. Lapham graduated from Yale University and later attended Cambridge University, further honing his literary and analytical skills. Lapham is best known for his long tenure as editor of Harper’s Magazine, a position he held for nearly three decades. During his time at Harper’s, Lapham transformed the magazine into a leading publication for intellectual and cultural discourse, attracting a loyal readership with his incisive essays and editorials. After stepping down as editor, he founded Lapham’s Quarterly, a literary magazine that juxtaposes historical texts with contemporary issues, providing readers with deep, contextual understanding of current events. Throughout his career, Lapham has authored several books and contributed to various prestigious publications. His work often critiques the American political and economic landscape, challenging readers to think critically about power, privilege, and democracy.

5 Interesting Facts about Lewis H. Lapham

1. Lapham was born into a wealthy family; his grandfather was a co-founder of the Texaco Oil Company.

2. He won the National Magazine Award for his editorial work at Harper’s Magazine.

3. Lapham is noted for his satirical writing style, often drawing comparisons to Mark Twain.

4. He has appeared on various television programs, including “The Colbert Report” and “Charlie Rose.”

5. Lapham’s Quarterly, the magazine he founded, has been praised for its innovative approach to presenting historical texts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lewis H. Lapham

1. “The more prosperous and settled a nation, the more readily it tends to look back on its history with a sense of complacency.”

2. “People may expect too much of journalism. Not only do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to be true.”

3. “The job of the writer is to make sense of life; it’s not to make a living.”

4. “The intelligence of the American public is much underestimated by those in power.”

5. “The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Lewis H. Lapham is estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Lewis H. Lapham has three children: Delphina, Winston, and Andrew. They have largely stayed out of the public eye, maintaining private lives away from their father’s media spotlight.