Famous American Editors

Vote for Your Favourite American Editors

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
William F. Buckley, Jr.
(Editor)
William F. Buckley, Jr.
11
Birthdate: November 24, 1925
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: February 27, 2008
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 2 
Dave Eggers
(American Writer Known for His Best Selling Memoir 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius')
Dave Eggers
4
Birthdate: March 12, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Dave Eggers is an American writer, publisher, and editor. He is credited with founding a non-profit publishing house named McSweeney's Publishing and a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization called ScholarMatch. Eggers is also credited with co-founding other non-profit organizations like 826 Valencia and Voice of Witness. His novels A Hologram for the King and The Circle have been adapted into movies.

 3 
Ben Bradlee
(Newspaper Editor & Journalist)
Ben Bradlee
7
Birthdate: August 26, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Boston
Died: October 21, 2014

Ben Bradlee was one of the most important journalists in the United States of America in the post-World War II era. From 1965 to 1991, Bradlee was associated with The Washington Post, serving as managing editor and then as executive editor. In 1988, Ben Bradlee was honored by the American Academy of Achievement with the prestigious Golden Plate Award.

 4 
Tavi Gevinson
(American Actress, Writer and Founder of the Online Magazine 'Rookie')
Tavi Gevinson
4
Birthdate: April 21, 1996
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Tavi Gevinson is an American writer, actress, and magazine editor. Gevinson discusses topics such as feminism and pop culture through her works. The now-defunct online magazine Rookie, which focused on the problems faced by teenage girls, was founded by Tavi Gevinson who also served as its editor-in-chief. Gevinson has also appeared in popular TV series like Gossip Girl.

 5 
Joe Weider
(Functionary, Editor)
Joe Weider
4
Birthdate: November 29, 1920
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Montreal
Died: March 23, 2013

Joe Weider was a Canadian entrepreneur and bodybuilder. He is credited with co-founding the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness which oversees several of the sport's international events, such as the Continental and World Championships. Weider is also credited with creating prominent bodybuilding contests like Mr. Olympia, Masters Olympia, and Ms. Olympia.

 6 
Anna Roosevelt Halsted
(Writer, Editor)
Anna Roosevelt Halsted
6
Birthdate: May 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City
Died: December 1, 1975

Anna Roosevelt Halsted was an American writer and newspaper editor. The daughter of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anna played an important role during World War II, serving as her father's key advisor. After her marriage, Anna moved into the White House and served as First Lady of the USA as per her parents' request.

 7 
Lucien Carr
(Journalist)
Lucien Carr
4
Birthdate: March 1, 1925
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: January 28, 2005

For many years a key member of the Beat Generation, Lucien Carr is probably better remembered for murdering a man who had been stalking him since his adolescence. Sentenced to one to twenty years in prison, he came out after two years and started his career first as a copy boy and eventually became an editor of the United Press International.

 8 
Carl Sandburg
(Writer & Editor)
Carl Sandburg
4
Birthdate: January 6, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Galesburg, Illinois, United States
Died: July 22, 1967

Carl Sandburg had begun working since age 11 and been employed in various odd jobs, such as a truck driver, a harvester, and a brickyard hand, before being part of the Illinois Infantry. The two-time Pulitzer-winning poet and biographer late also won a Grammy for his recording of Lincoln Portrait.

 9 
Diana Vreeland
(Magazine editor, fashion journalist and special consultant)
Diana Vreeland
4
Birthdate: July 29, 1906
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: August 22, 1989

Diana Vreeland was a French-American editor and columnist who worked for popular fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. From 1963 to 1971, she served as the editor-in-chief of Vogue. In 1964, she was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame. Diana Vreeland’s life and career inspired the 2011 documentary Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel.

 10 
Jann Wenner
(Co-Founder and Publisher of the Popular Culture Magazine 'Rolling Stone')
Jann Wenner
4
Birthdate: January 7, 1947
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York City, United States

Jann Wenner is an American magazine mogul best known as the co-founder and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine. He is also credited with co-founding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other popular publications like Outside. During the 1970s and 1980s, Wenner played a key role in popularizing several writers like Greil Marcus, Hunter S. Thompson, and Cameron Crowe.

 11 
Willow Bay
(American Journalist, Editor and Author)
Willow Bay
4
Birthdate: December 28, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Willow Bay is an American author, editor, television journalist, and former model. She has worked with popular TV networks like NBC, CNN, and ABC. She has also contributed to major sites like Huffington Post, where she served as a senior editor. She interviewed Bill Clinton and Warren Buffett as part of the site's Newsmaker series in collaboration with Yahoo! News.

 12 
Noah Webster
(Lexicographer)
Noah Webster
3
Birthdate: October 16, 1758
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Died: May 28, 1843

Noah Webster was an American textbook pioneer, lexicographer, political writer, English-language spelling reformer, author, and editor. Dubbed the Father of American Scholarship and Education, Webster's books have been credited with teaching the art of spelling and reading to five generations of American children. Thanks to his work as a spelling reformer, his name became synonymous with dictionary in the US.

 13 
Rob Liefeld
(American Comic Book Creator)
Rob Liefeld
5
Birthdate: October 3, 1967
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: United States

Rob Liefeld is a comic book creator best known for co-creating characters like Deadpool and Cable. In the 1990s, he achieved popularity for his work on Marvel Comics' X-Force and The New Mutants. Rob Liefeld is credited with co-creating Image Comics which went on to become the third-largest comic book publisher.

 14 
Alison Tyler
(Author, Editor and Publisher of Contemporary Erotica)
Alison Tyler
4
Birthdate: 1969 AD
Birthplace: Los Angeles County, California, United States

Alison Tyler is the pen name of an American writer, editor, and publisher. The publisher of erotica, Tyler is credited with writing over 20 explicit novels. She has also edited over 60 erotic anthologies and is credited with founding her own publishing company called Pretty Things Press. Her work, which focuses on erotic themes, has been translated into many languages.

 15 
Mark Halperin
(Host and Commentator for 'Newsmax TV' and Former Co-Host of 'With All Due Respect')
Mark Halperin
4
Birthdate: January 11, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Mark Halperin is an American journalist who has worked for major broadcast networks like ABC News and MSNBC. His career was affected when he was accused of workplace sexual harassment during his tenure at ABC News. He was subsequently fired by NBC News and Showtime Networks and is currently appearing on Newsmax TV as a contributor.

 16 
Charles Van Doren
(American Writer and Editor Who Was Involved in a Television Quiz Show Scandal in the 1950s)
Charles Van Doren
4
Birthdate: February 12, 1926
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: April 9, 2019

Charles Van Doren was an American editor and writer. Van Doren played a major role in exposing the quiz show scandal of the 1950s when he confirmed that the producers of the quiz show Twenty-One had given him the correct answers. The quiz show scandal and Charles Van Doren's participation in it inspired the 1994 detective docudrama Quiz Show.

 17 
E. L. Doctorow
(Novelist)
E. L. Doctorow
3
Birthdate: January 6, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York (state) New York, United States U.S.
Died: July 21, 2015
 18 
Roy William Thomas Jr.
(Comic Book Writer)
Roy William Thomas Jr.
3
Birthdate: November 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jackson, Missouri, United States
 19 
Michael O'Donoghue
(Writer)
Michael O'Donoghue
3
Birthdate: January 5, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, New York Sauquoit, New York (state) New York, United States
Died: November 8, 1994
 20 
Phil Bronstein
(American Journalist and Editor Known for His Work as Investigative Journalist and War Correspondent)
Phil Bronstein
4
Birthdate: October 4, 1950
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Currently serving as the Executive Chair, Center for Investigative Reporting, Phil Bronstein is perhaps best known for his work as a war correspondent in the revolution-era Philippines and El Salvador, holding important positions in numerous organizations throughout his career.  On personal level, he is equally known for his marriage to his first wife, actress Sharon Stone.

 21 
Bari Weiss
(Journalist)
Bari Weiss
4
Birthdate: March 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Bari Weiss is an American editor and opinion writer. Weiss has worked for publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. In 2019, she was honored with the prestigious National Jewish Book Award for her book How to Fight Anti-Semitism. Weiss is also the recipient of the Bastiat Prize, a journalism award presented by the Reason Foundation.

 22 
George DiCaprio
(American Writer, Editor, Publisher and Father of Actor Leonardo DiCaprio)
George DiCaprio
4
Birthdate: October 2, 1943
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: United States

Writer, editor, and publisher, George DiCaprio, is known for his work in the underground comix world. He was a popular figure in the 1970s and published comics like Greaser Comics and Forbidden Knowledge. His son, Leonardo DiCaprio, is a famous actor. George played a significant role in his son’s early career and used to screen scripts for him.

 23 
Joe Simon
(Writer)
Joe Simon
3
Birthdate: October 11, 1913
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rochester, New York, United States
Died: December 14, 2011
 24 
Ben Domenech
(Writer, Blogger, Editor, and Television Commentator)
Ben Domenech
4
Birthdate: January 1, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Ben Domenech is an American writer, television commentator, blogger, and editor. He is credited with co-founding an American conservative online magazine called The Federalist as well as the conservative political blog RedState. A controversial figure, Domenech has been accused of plagiarism among other charges, such as labor law violation.

 25 
Pete Hamill
(Journalist)
Pete Hamill
3
Birthdate: June 24, 1935
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: August 5, 2020
 26 
Hugo Gernsback
(Inventor)
Hugo Gernsback
3
Birthdate: August 16, 1884
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Died: August 19, 1967
 27 
Stephen F. Cohen
(Historian, Editor)
Stephen F. Cohen
3
Birthdate: November 25, 1938
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Died: September 18, 2020
 28 
William Cullen Bryant
(Romantic Poet)
William Cullen Bryant
3
Birthdate: November 3, 1794
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cummington, Massachusetts
Died: June 12, 1878
 29 
André Leon Talley
(Fashion journalist, stylist and the former creative director and American editor-at-large of Vogue magazine)
André Leon Talley
4
Birthdate: October 16, 1949
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
Died: January 18, 2022

With Master’s degree in French literature, fashion designer André Leon Talley’s initial aspiration was to become a teacher. Instead he was drawn to fashion and beginning his career as unpaid apprentice for Diana Vreeland, he went to become fashion news director for Vogue magazine and then its creative director. Also an author, he has written three books, including two memoirs.

 30 
John W. Campbell
(Science Fiction Writer)
John W. Campbell
3
Birthdate: June 8, 1910
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Died: July 11, 1971
 31 
Alex Wagner
(Television host and author)
Alex Wagner
0
Birthdate: November 27, 1977
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., United States
 32 
Jared Taylor
(American White Supremacist and Editor of 'American Renaissance')
Jared Taylor
4
Birthdate: September 15, 1951
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kobe, Japan

Jared Taylor is a white supremacist who is credited with founding an online magazine named American Renaissance for which he serves as the editor. He also serves as the president of New Century Foundation, the magazine's parent organization, through which he has published many of his books. Over the years Jared Taylor has been accused of propagating racist ideologies.

 33 
Art Spiegelman
(American Cartoonist, Editor and Comics Advocate)
Art Spiegelman
4
Birthdate: February 15, 1948
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Stockholm

Art Spiegelman is an American cartoonist, comics advocate, and editor. His graphic novel Maus earned a special Pulitzer Prize for popularizing the comics medium among scholars. Over the years Spiegelman has helped promote a better understanding of comics. In 2005, he was named in Time's Top 100 Most Influential People list. He has also won many awards like Inkpot Award.

 34 
Bret Harte
(Author & Poet)
Bret Harte
3
Birthdate: August 25, 1836
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Albany, New York, U.S.
Died: May 5, 1902
 35 
Stan Lee
(Primary Creative Leader of Marvel Comics and Characters such as 'Spider-Man', 'X-Men' and 'Iron Man')
Stan Lee
0
Birthdate: December 28, 1922
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: November 12, 2018

Stan Lee was one of the most popular comic book writers, thanks to his appearances in several Marvel movies. He is well-known as the co-creator of many famous superheroes, including Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Hulk. He pioneered a naturalistic method to writing superhero comics and challenged the Comics Code Authority, which ultimately led to changes in its policies.

 36 
Hanya Yanagihara
4
Birthdate: September 20, 1974
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 37 
Stewart Brand
(Writer)
Stewart Brand
3
Birthdate: December 14, 1938
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rockford, Illinois, United States
 38 
Edgar Allan Poe
(Writer and Poet - Widely Regarded as a Central Figure of Romanticism in the United States)
Edgar Allan Poe
0
Birthdate: January 19, 1809
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 7, 1849

American writer Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as the architect of modern short story, the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and a major contributor towards science fiction genre. The influential writer is recognised for his tales of mystery and macabre. His notable works include The Raven (poem), The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher (short stories).

 39 
Grace Mirabella
(Editor)
Grace Mirabella
3
Birthdate: June 10, 1930
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
 40 
Bret Stephens
(Political Commentator, Journalist, Columnist and Editor)
Bret Stephens
5
Birthdate: November 21, 1973
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York City, United States

Bret Stephens is an American conservative journalist, columnist, and editor. Over the years he has worked for popular publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He has also served as the editor-in-chief for The Jerusalem Post. Bret Stephens has won several prestigious awards including the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and the Reason Foundation's Bastiat Prize.

 41 
Anne Hearst
(Socialite who is a contributing editor of Town & Country magazine)
Anne Hearst
3
Birthdate: July 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: United States of America
 42 
Michael Shermer
(Science Writer, Historian of Science and Founder of the 'Skeptic' Magazine)
Michael Shermer
4
Birthdate: September 8, 1954
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Michael Shermer is an American historian of science and science writer. He is credited with founding The Skeptics Society, a nonprofit organization that aims at promoting scientific skepticism. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of the organization's magazine Skeptic. From 2001 to 2019, he was a major contributor to Scientific American magazine.

 43 
Babe Paley
(Socialite)
Babe Paley
3
Birthdate: July 5, 1915
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: July 6, 1978
 44 
Forrest J. Ackerman
(Magazine Editor)
Forrest J. Ackerman
3
Birthdate: November 24, 1916
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died: December 4, 2008
 45 
Fabian Nicieza
(Comics artist, Editor, Writer)
Fabian Nicieza
3
Birthdate: December 31, 1961
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Buenos Aires
 46 
Graydon Carter
(Journalist who served as the editor of Vanity Fair from 1992 until 2017, co-foundedthe satirical monthly magazine Spy in 1986)
Graydon Carter
3
Birthdate: July 14, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
 47 
Elijah Parish Lovejoy
(Journalist)
Elijah Parish Lovejoy
3
Birthdate: November 9, 1802
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Albion, Maine, United States
Died: November 7, 1837
 48 
Becky Quick
(Journalist)
Becky Quick
3
Birthdate: July 18, 1972
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, United States

Becky Quick is an American TV news presenter best known for co-anchoring CNBC's financial news shows On the Money and Squawk Box. Prior to working for CNBC, Quick worked for The Wall Street Journal where she played an important role in launching the publication's website in 1996. As part of her job, Quick has interviewed influential personalities including Bill Gates.

 49 
William Tappan Thompson
(Writer)
William Tappan Thompson
3
Birthdate: August 31, 1812
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ravenna, Ohio, United States
Died: March 24, 1882
 50 
Sarah Josepha Hale
(American author)
Sarah Josepha Hale
3
Birthdate: October 24, 1788
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Newport, New Hampshire, United States
Died: April 30, 1879