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Walter Lippmann

ウォルター・リップマン

Uorutā Rippuman

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1889-09-23 (New York City, U.S.)
Died
1974-12-14 (New York City, U.S.) age 85
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Reform Judaism
Residence History
New York City, U.S. → Washington, D.C., U.S.

Career

Occupations
writer, journalist, political commentator
Active Years
1911-1971
Affiliations
The New Republic (founding editor), The Washington Post (columnist/contributor), Harvard University (associated with Nieman Foundation for Journalism)
Memberships
American Philosophical Society, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Influenced By
George Santayana, William James, Graham Wallas
Influenced
James W. Carey (influence on media studies), Michael Schudson (communication studies), Scholars associated with the Almond–Lippmann consensus

Education

Harvard University
Philosophy and languages
Degree: AB
Period: 1906–1911
Year of Graduation: 1911
Country: United States
Wrote for The Harvard Advocate; member of Phi Beta Kappa; concentrated on philosophy and languages.

Awards

Pulitzer Prize (Special Citation)
1958
Work: Syndicated newspaper column 'Today and Tomorrow' and general journalistic contributions
Organization: Pulitzer Prizes
Result: 受賞
Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting
1962
Work: 1961 interview with Nikita Khrushchev
Category: 国際報道
Organization: Pulitzer Prizes
Result: 受賞
Presidential Medal of Freedom
1964
Work: Long and distinguished contribution to journalism and public commentary
Organization: President of the United States
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Public Opinion

1922 political/social criticism 320 pages

Analyzes the formation of public opinion and the shortcomings of mass perception; argues for the role of experts in interpreting complex realities and introduces the modern sense of 'stereotype'.

media criticismpublic opinionrole of experts

The Phantom Public

1925 political/social criticism 200 pages

Examines the limits of public participation and argues that a coherent 'public' is often illusory.

critique of democracypublicness

The Cold War

1947 international relations / political commentary 256 pages

Popularized the term 'Cold War' and analyzed the post–World War II international political landscape.

international politicssecuritygeopolitics

The Good Society

1937 political philosophy / social theory 300 pages

Discusses the relationship between modern society and liberty, proposing ideas for a better social order.

liberalismsocial design

Bibliography

  • A Preface to Politics (1913)
  • Drift and Mastery (1914)
  • Liberty and the News (1920)
  • Public Opinion (1922)
  • The Phantom Public (1925)
  • The Cold War (1947)
  • Essays in the Public Philosophy (1955)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
analytical and essayisticessay style with philosophical implications
Recurring Motifs
limits of public opinionexperts and governancemedia criticism

Health

  • cardiac arrest (cause of death)
    1974-12
    Died of cardiac arrest in 1974

Legacy

Regarded as one of the most influential journalists of the 20th century; provided key concepts and critical methods for media studies and public discourse. 'Public Opinion' is considered foundational in modern media studies.

Museums

  • Walter Lippmann House (associated with the Nieman Foundation) Harvard University campus

Academic Societies

  • American Philosophical Society
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Archives

  • Walter Lippmann Papers (Yale University Library)
  • Robert O. Anthony Collection of Walter Lippmann (Yale University Library)

In Popular Culture

  • Often referred to as 'Father of Modern Journalism'
  • Writings on the Cold War and his columns are frequently cited in textbooks and media studies

Quotes

  • The function of news is to signalize an event; the function of truth is to bring to light the hidden facts, to set them in relation with each other, and make a picture of reality on which men can act.
    Source: Public Opinion (1922) (1922)
  • I call the notion of a public competent to direct public affairs a 'false ideal.'
    Source: Public Opinion (1922) (1922)

Trivia

  • One of the early users of 'stereotype' in the modern psychological sense
  • Won Pulitzer Prizes in 1958 (Special Citation) and 1962 (International Reporting)
  • Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964