Shawn, William
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| − | '''William Shawn''' (August 31, 1907 – December 8, 1992) was an [[ | + | '''William Shawn''' (August 31, 1907 – December 8, 1992) was an [[American]] magazine editor who edited ''[[The New Yorker]]'' from 1952 until 1987. Born William Chon, Shawn chose to change the spelling of his last name around 1930 after an older brother had done the same. Considered one of the greatest literary figures of the twentieth century, Shawn broadened the vision of the [[New Yorker]] to include paramount fiction writing, thoughtful social commentary and international controversy. Under his guidance, the publication emerged as a leading literary magazine of its time. Shawn was portrayed in the 2005 film ''[[Capote]]'' by [[Bob Balaban]]. His son is the writer and character actor [[Wallace Shawn]]. |
| − | + | ==Life== | |
| + | William Shawn was born in [[Chicago]] in 1907 the youngest of six children. Born to [[Benjamin W. Chon]] and [[Anna Brasky Chon]], Shawn enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle on the city’s [[South Side]] after his father became the owner of a successful jewelry and cutlery store. Throughout his childhood, Shawn pursued the piano, eventually emerging as a capable jazz pianist. As a child, Shawn was serious and shy; this demeanor would define him throughout his life and subsequent career. | ||
| + | Shawn attended a Chicago-area private high school where he graduated in 1925. Following graduation, he attended the [[University of Michigan]] where he lasted only two years. From [[Michigan]] Shawn moved to [[Las Vegas]], [[New Mexico]] where he began working as an editor for [[the Optic]], the area’s local newspaper. He remained with [[the Optic]] for nearly six months before returning home to [[Chicago]] where he began working with the [[International Illustrated News]]. | ||
| + | In September 1928, Shawn married fellow journalist [[Cecille Lyon]]; the couple honeymooned in [[Europe]] where they remained for nearly a year, returning to the [[United States]] just before the [[stock market]] crash of October 1929. Throughout the early years of the [[Depression]] Shawn worked as a free-lance writer. In 1932 Shawn and his young wife moved to [[New York]] where he hoped to pursue a career as a songwriter. Soon after their arrival, Cecille began working on various free-lance assignments from the [[New Yorker]]. Shawn joined the magazine in 1933, officially hired as a reporter for the publication’s “Talk of the Town” section. Within two years Shawn had been promoted to associate editor. He would remain with the magazine for more than 50 years before accepting a position as editor for the publisher [[Farrar, Strauss & Giroux]], where he remained until his death in 1992. | ||
| + | ==Work== | ||
| + | In 1939 Shawn was named managing editor of the [[New Yorker]] where he began working closely with editor and founder, [[Harold Ross]]. Shawn was also responsible for overseeing the magazine's coverage of [[World War II]]. In 1946, he persuaded [[Ross]], to run [[John Hersey]]'s story about the atomic bombing of [[Hiroshima]] as the entire contents of one [[New Yorker]] issue. During his work as managing editor, Shawn maintained close professional ties with various distinguished writers whose work began appearing regularly in the [[New Yorker]]. | ||
| − | + | Known for his mild manner and soft-spokenness, Shawn was well-liked by his colleagues and was affectionately called “Mr. Shawn”. Though Shawn revealed little about his personal life to colleagues, he was known to be mildly [[eccentric]], and significantly phobic of crowds, elevators and air conditioning. Following the death of [[Harold Ross]] in 1951, Shawn was named editor of the [[New Yorker]], a position he would hold for the next thirty-five years. Under his leadership, the [[New Yorker]] would emerge as the nation’s preeminent literary magazine. | |
| − | Shawn's quiet style was a marked contrast to Ross's noisy manner. | + | Shawn's quiet style was a marked contrast to Ross's noisy manner. Shawn remained secretive, aloof, and cryptic about his plans for the magazine and its contents. He often bought articles that didn’t run for years, if ever. Members of the staff were given offices and salaries, even if they produced little for the magazine. However, Shawn allowed writers vast amounts of space to cover their subjects, and nearly all of them spoke of him reverently. Author [[J.D. Salinger]], in particular, adored him, dedicating his book "Franny and Zooey" to Shawn. |
| − | When [[Advance Publications]] bought the magazine in 1985, the new owners promised that the magazine's editorship would not change hands until Shawn chose to retire. But speculation about Shawn's successor | + | Shawn’s editorial leadership broadened Ross’s former vision of the [[New Yorker]], including in the publication articles of serious fiction, reflective journalism and controversy. Shawn tackled issues regarding the environment, racial prejudices, poverty, war and nuclear arms. Such works included Hannah Arendt’s [[Eichmann in Jerusalem]], a report on the trial of the infamous [[Nazi]] war criminal. Other works included Rachel Carson’s [[Silent Spring]] which outlined the effects of chemical pesticides on the environment. Shawn also ran [[Truman Capote]]’s [[In Cold Blood]], [[James Baldwin]]’s essays on race, and short fiction selections from literary greats [[John Updike]], [[J.D. Salinger]], and [[John Cheever]]. |
| + | When [[Advance Publications]] bought the magazine in 1985, the new owners promised that the magazine's editorship would not change hands until Shawn chose to retire. But speculation about Shawn's successor grew. Due to Shawn’s lengthy career as editor, the usual criticism of the magazine—that it had become stale and dull—was growing more pointed. [[Advance]] chairman [[S.I. Newhouse]] eventually forced Shawn’s retirement in February 1987, replacing Shawn with [[Robert Gottlieb]], the editor-in-chief of the book publisher [[Alfred A. Knopf]]. Shawn was given office space in the [[Brill Building]] by [[Saturday Night Live]] executive producer [[Lorne Michaels]], a longtime admirer, and soon took an editorship at [[Farrar, Straus and Giroux]], a largely honorary post that he held until his death in New York City in 1992 at the age of 85. | ||
| − | In 1988 he received the [[George Polk Career Award]]. | + | ==Legacy== |
| + | Shawn’s career with the [[New Yorker]] spanned more than 50 years. Here he worked tirelessly to shape the leading magazine’s distinctive style and content, persuade public opinion, and significantly influence writers across the United States. Under Shawn’s navigation and restless attention to detail, the [[New Yorker]] emerged as a leading literary publication containing witty cartoons, premier fiction and thorough social commentary. Throughout his career, Shawn maintained a commitment to truth and clarity unrivaled by any editor of the time. Allowing his writers and artists significant creative freedoms, and directing with the gentle manner of a truly endearing leader, Shawn earned a genuine adoration from both colleagues and readers across the nation. In 1988 he received the [[George Polk Career Award]] in honor of his numerous accomplishments. | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| + | *Biographies, Answers Corporation. [http://www.answers.com/topic/william-shawn William Shawn]. Biographies, 2006. Answers.com Retrieved 31 October, 2007. | ||
| + | *Mehta, Ved. Remembering Mr. Shawn's New Yorker: The Invisible Art of Editing, Overlook Press, 1998. ISBN 0879517077. | ||
| + | *Ross, Lillian. Here But Not Here: My Life with William Shawn and The New Yorker. Counterpoint; Cambridge, MA, 2001. ISBN 1582431108. | ||
| + | *Remnick, David. The Complete New Yorker: Eighty Years of the Nation’s Greatest Magazine. Random House; New York, 2005. ISBN 1400064740. | ||
| − | + | ==External Links== | |
| − | |||
| − | == | ||
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A21723202 History of The New Yorker magazine under Shawn] | *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A21723202 History of The New Yorker magazine under Shawn] | ||
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A21723860 William Shawn's biography and career] | *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A21723860 William Shawn's biography and career] | ||
| − | + | *[http://www.bookpage.com/9806bp/nonfiction/william_shawn_roundup.html William Shaw Memoirs] | |
{{Credits|William_Shawn|142498584|}} | {{Credits|William_Shawn|142498584|}} | ||
Revision as of 14:51, 4 November 2007
William Shawn (August 31, 1907 – December 8, 1992) was an American magazine editor who edited The New Yorker from 1952 until 1987. Born William Chon, Shawn chose to change the spelling of his last name around 1930 after an older brother had done the same. Considered one of the greatest literary figures of the twentieth century, Shawn broadened the vision of the New Yorker to include paramount fiction writing, thoughtful social commentary and international controversy. Under his guidance, the publication emerged as a leading literary magazine of its time. Shawn was portrayed in the 2005 film Capote by Bob Balaban. His son is the writer and character actor Wallace Shawn.
Life
William Shawn was born in Chicago in 1907 the youngest of six children. Born to Benjamin W. Chon and Anna Brasky Chon, Shawn enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle on the city’s South Side after his father became the owner of a successful jewelry and cutlery store. Throughout his childhood, Shawn pursued the piano, eventually emerging as a capable jazz pianist. As a child, Shawn was serious and shy; this demeanor would define him throughout his life and subsequent career. Shawn attended a Chicago-area private high school where he graduated in 1925. Following graduation, he attended the University of Michigan where he lasted only two years. From Michigan Shawn moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico where he began working as an editor for the Optic, the area’s local newspaper. He remained with the Optic for nearly six months before returning home to Chicago where he began working with the International Illustrated News. In September 1928, Shawn married fellow journalist Cecille Lyon; the couple honeymooned in Europe where they remained for nearly a year, returning to the United States just before the stock market crash of October 1929. Throughout the early years of the Depression Shawn worked as a free-lance writer. In 1932 Shawn and his young wife moved to New York where he hoped to pursue a career as a songwriter. Soon after their arrival, Cecille began working on various free-lance assignments from the New Yorker. Shawn joined the magazine in 1933, officially hired as a reporter for the publication’s “Talk of the Town” section. Within two years Shawn had been promoted to associate editor. He would remain with the magazine for more than 50 years before accepting a position as editor for the publisher Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, where he remained until his death in 1992.
Work
In 1939 Shawn was named managing editor of the New Yorker where he began working closely with editor and founder, Harold Ross. Shawn was also responsible for overseeing the magazine's coverage of World War II. In 1946, he persuaded Ross, to run John Hersey's story about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as the entire contents of one New Yorker issue. During his work as managing editor, Shawn maintained close professional ties with various distinguished writers whose work began appearing regularly in the New Yorker.
Known for his mild manner and soft-spokenness, Shawn was well-liked by his colleagues and was affectionately called “Mr. Shawn”. Though Shawn revealed little about his personal life to colleagues, he was known to be mildly eccentric, and significantly phobic of crowds, elevators and air conditioning. Following the death of Harold Ross in 1951, Shawn was named editor of the New Yorker, a position he would hold for the next thirty-five years. Under his leadership, the New Yorker would emerge as the nation’s preeminent literary magazine.
Shawn's quiet style was a marked contrast to Ross's noisy manner. Shawn remained secretive, aloof, and cryptic about his plans for the magazine and its contents. He often bought articles that didn’t run for years, if ever. Members of the staff were given offices and salaries, even if they produced little for the magazine. However, Shawn allowed writers vast amounts of space to cover their subjects, and nearly all of them spoke of him reverently. Author J.D. Salinger, in particular, adored him, dedicating his book "Franny and Zooey" to Shawn.
Shawn’s editorial leadership broadened Ross’s former vision of the New Yorker, including in the publication articles of serious fiction, reflective journalism and controversy. Shawn tackled issues regarding the environment, racial prejudices, poverty, war and nuclear arms. Such works included Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem, a report on the trial of the infamous Nazi war criminal. Other works included Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring which outlined the effects of chemical pesticides on the environment. Shawn also ran Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, James Baldwin’s essays on race, and short fiction selections from literary greats John Updike, J.D. Salinger, and John Cheever. When Advance Publications bought the magazine in 1985, the new owners promised that the magazine's editorship would not change hands until Shawn chose to retire. But speculation about Shawn's successor grew. Due to Shawn’s lengthy career as editor, the usual criticism of the magazine—that it had become stale and dull—was growing more pointed. Advance chairman S.I. Newhouse eventually forced Shawn’s retirement in February 1987, replacing Shawn with Robert Gottlieb, the editor-in-chief of the book publisher Alfred A. Knopf. Shawn was given office space in the Brill Building by Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels, a longtime admirer, and soon took an editorship at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, a largely honorary post that he held until his death in New York City in 1992 at the age of 85.
Legacy
Shawn’s career with the New Yorker spanned more than 50 years. Here he worked tirelessly to shape the leading magazine’s distinctive style and content, persuade public opinion, and significantly influence writers across the United States. Under Shawn’s navigation and restless attention to detail, the New Yorker emerged as a leading literary publication containing witty cartoons, premier fiction and thorough social commentary. Throughout his career, Shawn maintained a commitment to truth and clarity unrivaled by any editor of the time. Allowing his writers and artists significant creative freedoms, and directing with the gentle manner of a truly endearing leader, Shawn earned a genuine adoration from both colleagues and readers across the nation. In 1988 he received the George Polk Career Award in honor of his numerous accomplishments.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Biographies, Answers Corporation. William Shawn. Biographies, 2006. Answers.com Retrieved 31 October, 2007.
- Mehta, Ved. Remembering Mr. Shawn's New Yorker: The Invisible Art of Editing, Overlook Press, 1998. ISBN 0879517077.
- Ross, Lillian. Here But Not Here: My Life with William Shawn and The New Yorker. Counterpoint; Cambridge, MA, 2001. ISBN 1582431108.
- Remnick, David. The Complete New Yorker: Eighty Years of the Nation’s Greatest Magazine. Random House; New York, 2005. ISBN 1400064740.
External Links
- History of The New Yorker magazine under Shawn
- William Shawn's biography and career
- William Shaw Memoirs
Credits
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