 |
James Douglas BennetFounder and first director of the New York Herald newspaper publishing house
Date of Birth: 28.03.1966
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of James Douglas Bennet
James Douglas Bennet, the founder and first director of the newspaper publishing company 'New York Herald', was born on March 28, 1966, in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents, Douglas Joseph Bennet and Susanne Bennet née Klejman, were of Polish Jewish descent. James has a brother and a sister.
Education and Early Career
When his father received an offer to work in the team of Democratic Senator Thomas Eagleton, the family moved to Washington, DC. James attended the independent St. Albans School, known for its high percentage of graduates being accepted into prestigious universities. James Bennet was among those graduates and went on to study at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in arts.
Journalism Career
James' mother, Susanne Bennet, taught English as a second language at a non-profit organization called 'Language ETC' in Washington. His father, Douglas Bennet, served as a political figure in the administrations of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. He also led the National Public Radio from 1983 to 1992 and served as the president of Wesleyan University from 1995 to 2007. James' older brother, Michael Bennet, is a United States Senator from Colorado since January 2009.
James Bennet began his journalism career as an intern at the daily newspaper 'The News & Observer' in North Carolina. He then worked for 'The New Republic' magazine and held the position of editor at 'The Washington Monthly' from 1989 to 1991. In 1991, James joined 'The New York Times' and rose to the position of White House correspondent and bureau chief in Jerusalem. After returning from Jerusalem, he wrote a memo on the proper usage of the terms 'terrorist' and 'terrorism', which are frequently used by 'The Times' editors.
The Atlantic and Legacy
In late 2006, Bennet was supposed to become a correspondent for 'The Times' in Beijing. However, he resigned in March of the same year after being offered the opportunity to lead 'The Atlantic'. His candidacy was chosen by the magazine's publisher, David G. Bradley, after a rigorous selection process that involved negotiations with 80 journalists across the United States.
As the editor, Bennet attracted attention in April 2008 when the magazine featured the scandalous Britney Spears on its cover, along with her photograph. This move surprised traditional enthusiasts of the publication's high culture. It turned out that Bennet intended to address the declining sales of 'The Atlantic' in newspaper kiosks.
James Douglas Bennet's contributions to journalism and his leadership at 'The Atlantic' have solidified his position as a respected figure in the industry.
