Walter Lippmann

Date of Birth: September 23, 1889

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: December 14, 1974

Biography

Walter Lippmann was an influential American writer, reporter, and political commentator born on September 23, 1889, in New York City. He is widely recognized for his pioneering work in the field of journalism and his influential role in shaping public opinion and media theory during the 20th century. Lippmann graduated from Harvard University in 1910, where he was influenced by the philosophy of William James and George Santayana. Throughout his career, Lippmann contributed to various publications, including the New Republic, which he co-founded in 1914. He later became an editor and writer for the New York World and the New York Herald Tribune. Lippmann is perhaps best known for his book “Public Opinion” (1922), which introduced the concept of the “manufacture of consent” and the role of media in shaping public perception. Lippmann won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work: one for his syndicated newspaper column, “Today and Tomorrow,” and another for his commentary on American foreign policy. His influence extended beyond journalism into the realms of political science and communication theory, making him a central figure in the development of modern media analysis.

5 Interesting Facts about Walter Lippmann

1. Walter Lippmann coined the term “stereotype” in its modern psychological sense in his book “Public Opinion.”

2. He served as an advisor to several U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

3. Lippmann was a co-founder of the New Republic, a progressive magazine that played a significant role in American intellectual life.

4. He won two Pulitzer Prizes: one in 1958 for his column and another in 1962 for his commentary on the Cold War.

5. Lippmann was a strong advocate for a free press but also believed in the need for responsible journalism to inform the public adequately.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Walter Lippmann

1. “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.”

2. “The public must be put in its place… so that each of us may live free of the trampling and the roar of a bewildered herd.”

3. “When all men think alike, no one thinks very much.”

4. “A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society.”

5. “For the most part, we do not first see, and then define; we define first and then see.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Walter Lippmann’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as an influential journalist and author, he was financially comfortable and respected in his field.

Children

Walter Lippmann did not have any children with either of his two wives, Faye Albertson (married in 1917, divorced in 1937) and Helen Byrne Armstrong (married in 1938 until his death in 1974).