Walter Lippmann
Full Name and Common Aliases
Walter Lippmann was a prominent American writer, reporter, and political commentator. He is often referred to simply as "Lippmann" in journalistic and academic circles.
Birth and Death Dates
Walter Lippmann was born on September 23, 1889, and passed away on December 14, 1974.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Walter Lippmann was an American national. His professional life was marked by his roles as a journalist, media critic, and political commentator. He was also a notable author and public intellectual.
Early Life and Background
Walter Lippmann was born in New York City to a well-to-do German-Jewish family. His father, Jacob Lippmann, was a successful clothing manufacturer, and his mother, Daisy Baum, was a cultured and educated woman. Lippmann's upbringing in a privileged environment afforded him access to excellent educational opportunities. He attended the Sachs School for Boys, a prestigious private school, before enrolling at Harvard University. At Harvard, Lippmann studied under influential figures such as George Santayana and William James, which significantly shaped his intellectual development. He graduated with a degree in philosophy in 1910, laying the groundwork for his future career in journalism and political thought.
Major Accomplishments
Walter Lippmann's career was marked by numerous accomplishments that established him as a leading voice in American journalism and political commentary. He co-founded "The New Republic" in 1914, a magazine that became a platform for progressive ideas and policy discussions. Lippmann's work at "The New Republic" helped shape public opinion during a transformative period in American history.
Lippmann's influence extended beyond journalism; he served as an advisor to several U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. His insights into public opinion and policy were highly valued, and he played a role in shaping the discourse around major political events of the 20th century.
Notable Works or Actions
Walter Lippmann authored several influential books that have left a lasting impact on political thought and media studies. His 1922 book, "Public Opinion," is perhaps his most famous work. In it, Lippmann explored the role of media in shaping public perceptions and the challenges of democracy in an age of mass communication. The book introduced the concept of the "manufacture of consent," which remains a critical framework for understanding media influence.
Another significant work, "The Phantom Public" (1925), further examined the limitations of public opinion and the complexities of democratic governance. Lippmann's writings often highlighted the gap between the ideal of an informed public and the reality of media-driven perceptions.
Impact and Legacy
Walter Lippmann's impact on journalism and political thought is profound and enduring. He is credited with pioneering the field of media studies and offering critical insights into the relationship between media, public opinion, and democracy. His ideas about the "bewildered herd" and the "stereotype" have become foundational concepts in understanding media influence and public perception.
Lippmann's legacy is also evident in the numerous awards and honors he received throughout his career, including two Pulitzer Prizes for his newspaper columns. His work continues to be studied and referenced by journalists, scholars, and policymakers seeking to understand the complexities of media and democracy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Walter Lippmann is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive analysis of media and public opinion. His ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner has made his work accessible to a broad audience. Lippmann's insights into the power of media to shape perceptions and the challenges of informed citizenship remain relevant in today's media-saturated world.
His quotes often capture the essence of his critical perspective on democracy and the media, making them enduringly popular in discussions about the role of journalism in society. Lippmann's legacy as a thinker who challenged conventional wisdom and sought to illuminate the intricacies of public discourse ensures that his words continue to resonate with those seeking to understand the dynamics of media and democracy.
Quotes by Walter Lippmann
Walter Lippmann's insights on:
The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other menOxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations the conviction and the will to carry on.
You cannot endow even the best machine with initiative; the jolliest steam-roller will not plant flowers.
Men can know more than their ancestors did if they start with a knowledge of what their ancestors had already learned.That is why a society can be progressive only if it conserves its traditions.
The radical novelty of modern science lies precisely in the rejection of the belief that the forces which move the stars and atoms are contingent upon the preferences of the human heart.
Only the consciousness of a purpose that is greater than any man can seed and fortify the souls of men.
Politicians tend to live “in character” and many a public figure has come to imitate the journalism that describes him.
That is why it is often such a relief when the talk turns from “general topics” to a man’s own hobby. It is like turning from the landscape in the parlor to the ploughed field outdoors. It is a return to the three dimensional world, after a sojourn in the painter’s portrayal of his own emotional response to his own inattentive memory of what he imagines he ought to have seen.
Each of us lives and works on a small part of the earth’s surface, moves in a small circle, and of these acquaintances knows only a few intimately.
The American’s conviction that he must be able to look any man in the eye and tell him to go to hell is the very essence of the free man’s way of life.