Harold Ross

Harold Ross was a renowned American journalist and editor, best known for founding and editing The New Yorker magazine. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Ross grew up in a family that encouraged his love for literature and journalism, which would later influence his work with notable writers like Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, and Alexander Woollcott. Ross's early life was marked by his experiences in Colorado and Utah, where he developed a strong interest in writing and editing. He was also influenced by the works of Mark Twain, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway.

● Early Life

Harold Ross was born on November 6, 1892, in Asheville, North Carolina, to George Ross and Ida Martin Ross. His family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and later to Denver, Colorado, where he attended East High School (Denver). Ross's early interests included writing and journalism, which led him to work as a reporter for the Denver Post and later for the Salt Lake City Tribune. He was also influenced by the works of Theodore Dreiser, Frank Norris, and Upton Sinclair. Ross's experiences in Colorado and Utah shaped his perspective on American culture and society, which would later be reflected in his work with The New Yorker and writers like John Cheever, J.D. Salinger, and S.J. Perelman.

● Career

Ross began his career in journalism as a reporter for the Denver Post and later worked as a editor for the Salt Lake City Tribune. He served in the United States Army during World War I, where he edited the army's newspaper, Stars and Stripes, alongside notable writers like Grantland Rice and Alexander Woollcott. After the war, Ross moved to New York City and worked as a editor for the New York Tribune and later for the New York Evening Post. He was also influenced by the works of H.L. Mencken, George S. Kaufman, and Morrie Ryskind. Ross's experiences in New York City exposed him to a diverse range of literary and cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance and the Lost Generation, which would later shape his vision for The New Yorker.

● The New Yorker

In 1925, Ross founded The New Yorker magazine, which quickly became a prominent publication in American literature and journalism. Ross's vision for the magazine was to create a platform for humor, satire, and cultural commentary, featuring writers like James Thurber, E.B. White, and Katherine White. He was also influenced by the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. Under Ross's editorship, The New Yorker became known for its unique blend of humor, literature, and cultural commentary, featuring notable writers like John O'Hara, Mary McCarthy, and Vladimir Nabokov. The magazine's success was also due in part to its iconic cover art, which featured the work of Rea Irvin and Saul Steinberg.

● Personal Life

Ross was married to Jane Grant, a journalist and writer, and the couple had a daughter, Peggy Ross. He was known for his strong personality and his dedication to his work, which often led to conflicts with his writers and colleagues, including Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley. Ross was also a close friend of Alexander Woollcott and Neysa McMein, and was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals that included Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, and Edna Ferber. Ross's personal life was also influenced by his interests in politics and social justice, which led him to support causes like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● Legacy

Harold Ross's legacy as a journalist and editor is still celebrated today, with The New Yorker remaining one of the most respected and influential publications in American literature and journalism. Ross's impact on American culture and society can be seen in the work of writers like John Cheever, J.D. Salinger, and S.J. Perelman, who all got their start at The New Yorker. He was also influenced by the works of Mark Twain, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway. Ross's commitment to literary excellence and cultural commentary has inspired generations of writers and editors, including William Shawn, Robert Gottlieb, and David Remnick. His legacy extends beyond The New Yorker to the broader world of American literature and journalism, with writers like Norman Mailer, Gore Vidal, and Joan Didion citing him as an influence.

● Later Life and Death

In his later years, Ross continued to edit The New Yorker, despite struggling with health problems. He died on December 6, 1951, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 59. Ross's death was mourned by the literary community, with tributes from writers like E.B. White, James Thurber, and Katherine White. His legacy continues to be celebrated today, with The New Yorker remaining a prominent publication in American literature and journalism. Ross's impact on American culture and society can be seen in the work of writers like John Updike, John Irving, and Don DeLillo, who all got their start at The New Yorker or were influenced by its unique blend of humor, literature, and cultural commentary.

Category:American journalists