David Remnick

David Remnick
Martin Schneider / en:User:Priceyeah · CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Name	David Remnick
Caption	Remnick in 2012
Birth date	29 October 1958
Birth place	Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Education	Princeton University (BA)
Occupation	Journalist, editor, writer
Spouse	Esther B. Fein, 1990
Known for	Editor of The New Yorker, Author of Lenin's Tomb
Employer	The New Yorker
Title	Editor

David Remnick is an American journalist, editor, and author who has served as the editor of The New Yorker magazine since 1998. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary American letters, having guided the publication through a period of significant digital transformation while maintaining its reputation for literary excellence and in-depth reporting. Before his editorial tenure, Remnick was a celebrated foreign correspondent for The Washington Post, winning a Pulitzer Prize for his book Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire. His leadership at The New Yorker has been marked by a commitment to long-form journalism, fiction, poetry, and commentary, featuring work from a diverse array of writers including Malcolm Gladwell, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Seymour M. Hersh.

Early life and education

David Remnick was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and grew up in the nearby township of Hillsdale. He attended the public schools of Pascack Valley Regional High School District before enrolling at Princeton University. At Princeton, he studied under writers and scholars such as Joyce Carol Oates and Robert F. Goheen, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981. His early interest in writing and literature was cultivated during these formative years in New Jersey and further developed through his collegiate studies in the Northeastern United States.

Journalism career

Remnick began his professional journalism career immediately after college, starting as a staff writer for The Washington Post in 1981. He initially covered a range of local stories in Washington, D.C., before being assigned to report on sports, including boxing. His big break came when he was appointed the Moscow correspondent for The Post in 1988, a position he held during the tumultuous final years of the Soviet Union. His reporting from the Kremlin and across the Soviet republics earned him critical acclaim, providing the foundation for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book. During this period, he witnessed and documented pivotal events including the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev, the policies of glasnost and perestroika, and the eventual dissolution of the USSR.

Tenure at The New Yorker

Remnick joined The New Yorker as a staff writer in 1992, following his return from Moscow. He quickly established himself with penetrating profiles and essays, often focusing on political and literary figures. In 1998, following the retirement of longtime editor Tina Brown, he was named the magazine's editor, becoming only the fifth person to hold the position since its founding by Harold Ross. Under his leadership, The New Yorker has expanded its digital presence with the launch of its website, newyorker.com, and podcasts like The New Yorker Radio Hour, while continuing to publish award-winning investigative journalism, such as reporting on the War in Afghanistan and the #MeToo movement. He has also overseen the magazine's coverage of major political events, including the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Published works

In addition to his editorial work, Remnick is a prolific author of non-fiction books. His acclaimed work, Lenin's Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire (1993), won both the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and a George Polk Award. He later authored The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama (2010), a detailed biography of the former president. Other notable books include King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero (1998), a study of the legendary boxer, and The Devil Problem: And Other True Stories (1996), a collection of his magazine essays. His writing frequently explores themes of power, history, and cultural transformation.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, David Remnick has received numerous prestigious awards for his writing and editorial leadership. His book Lenin's Tomb earned the Pulitzer Prize, the George Polk Award, and the Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism. In 2016, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Under his editorship, The New Yorker has won multiple National Magazine Awards, including awards for public interest, reporting, and fiction. He has also been honored with the National Humanities Medal, presented by President Barack Obama in 2016, in recognition of his contributions to American cultural life.

Personal life

David Remnick is married to former New York Times journalist Esther B. Fein; the couple wed in 1990 and have three children. They reside in New York City. An avid reader and cultural enthusiast, Remnick is known to be a devoted fan of jazz music and is frequently seen at cultural events in Manhattan. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing his public persona primarily on his professional work at The New Yorker and his literary endeavors.

Category:American magazine editors Category:Pulitzer Prize winners Category:Princeton University alumni Category:1958 births Category:Living people