Edward K. Thompson
Encyclopedia
Edward Kramer Thompson was an American
writer
and editor
. The Smithsonian Magazine
called him "one of the great editors of the last half [of the 20th] century." He was the editor of LIFE
from its early days as a weekly and was the founding editor of Smithsonian Magazine.
to Edward T. Thompson, a dry goods business proprietor and local banker. After finishing high school at 15, he went with his mother to Grand Forks, North Dakota
, at the age of 16 to begin his studies at the University of North Dakota
.
His first wife was Marguerite Maxam, from Montana
, who he married in 1928. The first of his two sons, Edward T. Thompson would become the editor of Reader's Digest
. He would move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
with his family in 1929 to work for the Milwaukee Journal where he would remain until 1937.
for TIME
which brought him to the attention of Henry Luce
who was thinking about introducing a national picture magazine, which would become LIFE. Luce hired Thompson in 1937 as assistant picture editor for this new venture. From 1949–1961 he was the managing editor. During this time he came to know Lee Eitington, who would become his second wife in 1963. Thompson was known for the free rein he gave his editors, particularly a "trio of formidable and colorful women: Sally Kirkland
, fashion editor; Mary Letherbee, movie editor; and Mary Hamman
, modern living editor." He retired from LIFE as editor in chief, in 1970.
Press in October 1995. His other 'invention' was the magazine Impact which he created for the Army Air Forces during his time out during World War II
; LIFE, he would say, was Henry Luce's invention.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
. The Smithsonian Magazine
Smithsonian (magazine)
Smithsonian is the official journal published by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The first issue was published in 1970.-History:...
called him "one of the great editors of the last half [of the 20th] century." He was the editor of LIFE
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
from its early days as a weekly and was the founding editor of Smithsonian Magazine.
Biography
Thompson was born in St. Thomas, North DakotaSt. Thomas, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 447 people, 174 households, and 123 families residing in the city. The population density was 421.7 people per square mile . There were 201 housing units at an average density of 189.6 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 94.18% White, 4.25% from...
to Edward T. Thompson, a dry goods business proprietor and local banker. After finishing high school at 15, he went with his mother to Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
, at the age of 16 to begin his studies at the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
.
His first wife was Marguerite Maxam, from Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, who he married in 1928. The first of his two sons, Edward T. Thompson would become the editor of Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
. He would move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
with his family in 1929 to work for the Milwaukee Journal where he would remain until 1937.
LIFE
While at the Milwaukee Journal he also worked as a stringerStringer (journalism)
In journalism, a stringer is a type of freelance journalist or photographer who contributes reports or photos to a news organization on an ongoing basis but is paid individually for each piece of published or broadcast work....
for TIME
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
which brought him to the attention of Henry Luce
Henry Luce
Henry Robinson Luce was an influential American publisher. He launched and closely supervised a stable of magazines that transformed journalism and the reading habits of upscale Americans...
who was thinking about introducing a national picture magazine, which would become LIFE. Luce hired Thompson in 1937 as assistant picture editor for this new venture. From 1949–1961 he was the managing editor. During this time he came to know Lee Eitington, who would become his second wife in 1963. Thompson was known for the free rein he gave his editors, particularly a "trio of formidable and colorful women: Sally Kirkland
Sally Kirkland (editor)
Sally Kirkland was a manager at Lord & Taylor, a fashion editor at Vogue and the only fashion editor at Life for 25 years....
, fashion editor; Mary Letherbee, movie editor; and Mary Hamman
Mary Hamman
Mary Hamman was an American writer and editor. She was an editor for Pictorial Review, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, the modern living editor for LIFE, editor in chief for Bride & Home....
, modern living editor." He retired from LIFE as editor in chief, in 1970.
Smithsonian
Next he "invented", to use his word, Smithsonian magazine. "To those all-out converts to computerized journalism who declaim that 'print is dead,' I say, 'Not so fast.'" are his opening words of his book: A love Affair with Life & Smithsonian published by the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Press in October 1995. His other 'invention' was the magazine Impact which he created for the Army Air Forces during his time out during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
; LIFE, he would say, was Henry Luce's invention.