Lippmann, Walter (1889–1974)

FOR OVER 60 YEARS, Walter Lippmann was one of America's most influential political commentators. As a journalist, his work influenced every president from Woodrow Wilson to Richard Nixon. Lippmann was born in Manhattan, New York City, and was an only child to privileged German-Jewish parents. He attended Harvard University where he studied philosophy and completed a four-year degree in three years.

His journalistic career lasted 35 years, and he authored 21 books. Lippmann was an associate editor of the New Republic from 1914 to 1917. He left this position to become an adviser to President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. As Wilson's assistant secretary of war, Lippmann had much influence over the president, especially with regards to Wilson's famous 14 Points, which formed the U.S. ...