Walter Lippmann, a significant figure in American journalism and political thought, was born on September 23, 1889, in New York City. He was the son of Jacob and Daisy Lippmann, German-Jewish immigrants. Lippmann's early education at the Sachs School and later at Harvard University shaped the trajectory of his impressive career.

Early Life and Education

Growing up in the vibrant yet challenging world of New York City, Walter Lippmann was part of a German-Jewish family. His father, Jacob Lippmann, was involved in the clothing industry, while his mother, Daisy, contributed to his upbringing. From 1896 to 1906, Walter attended the Sachs School for boys, which laid the foundation for his academic pursuits.

In 1906, he embarked on a journey at Harvard University, where he completed his degree in just three years. Despite his academic prowess, Lippmann faced exclusion from the university's popular social circles due to his Jewish heritage, a situation that profoundly impacted him. While at Harvard, he was proactive in founding the Harvard Socialist Club. By 1909, he continued his education as a graduate student and served as a teaching assistant for the renowned philosopher George Santayana. Concurrently, he cut his teeth in journalism with roles at Boston Common and Everybody’s Magazine.

Political Engagement and Early Publications

While still in the bloom of youth, Lippmann dipped his toes into the political arena in 1912. He briefly worked as the executive secretary to George R. Lunn, the socialist mayor of Schenectady, New York. Although his time in politics was short-lived, it was a period of disillusionment that led him to resign after a few months. Nonetheless, his political passion remained undeterred, leading him to join the Socialist Party of New York County shortly after.

Lippmann’s intellectual journey bore fruit in the form of his first book, A Preface to Politics, published in 1913. A year later, he was among the founding editors of the influential New Republic magazine. In 1917, his personal life saw a milestone as he married Faye Albertson.

World War I and Contributions to Peace

The onset of World War I in 1917 marked a significant turn in Lippmann's career. He left his editorial position at New Republic to serve the U.S. government in various capacities related to war and peace policy. Appointed as an assistant to Newton D. Baker, the U.S. Secretary of War, Lippmann played a crucial role in shaping wartime strategies.

His expertise was further recognized when he became the secretary of the Inquiry, a secret governmental think tank tasked with preparing for the Paris Peace Conference. As an intelligence officer in the Army, he contributed to the American Commission to Negotiate Peace, significantly influencing President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, which outlined the principles for post-war peace in Europe. In 1919, though he participated in the Paris Peace Conference delegation, he soon grew disillusioned with the proceedings and chose to step down from military service.

Editorial Endeavors and Personal Life

After the war, Lippmann returned to his editorial role at New Republic in 1919 and began a regular column in Vanity Fair in 1920. His career took another leap in 1922 when he began working as an editorial writer for the New York World, eventually becoming its editor in 1924. By 1929, Lippmann published his tenth book, A Preface to Morals, further cementing his reputation as a thinker in political philosophy.

The closure of the New York World in 1931 led Lippmann to start his iconic column, "Today and Tomorrow," for the New York Herald-Tribune , which ran until 1962. His personal life was equally tumultuous; after an affair with...