Jonathan Piel
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Piel is an American
science journalist and editor.
in June 1984 and left the magazine in August 1994. Following the tradition established by Gerard Piel
and Dennis Flanagan
he managed a staff of editors, artists, and writers who express the development of science in such fields as physics
, astrophysics
, cosmology
, evolution
, biology
, archeology, anthropology
, sociology
and psychology
. He maintained the magazine’s focus on medicine and health care, the impact of information technology on society and the economy, strategic weaponry, and the relationship between the environment and the global economy. *Continuing the series of annual single-topic issues, the magazine — under Jonathan Piel’s editorship — covered such topics as the relationship between mind and brain, human economic growth and the environment, and the AIDS
epidemic.
, to create Scientific American Medicine, a text designed to keep physician-subscribers abreast of significant changes in internal medicine.
. He joined the editorial staff of Newsweek
in 1967. In 1969, he became a member of the Editorial Board of Scientific American.
, he attended the City & Country School, The Putney School
in Putney, Vermont
, and graduated from Harvard College
in 1961. In 2002, he earned a Master of Professional Studies degree from the N.Y.U.
Tisch School of the Arts, in its Interactive Telecommunications Program.
in Putney, Vermont
, Harvard College, N.Y.U. Tisch School of the Arts.
N.Y. Times (passim)
Mastheads of Scientific American from 1969 through 1994.
His children are editor, Sarah Piel (b 1970) and actress/casting director Katie Piel (b. 1977).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
science journalist and editor.
At the Scientific American
He became the editor of Scientific AmericanScientific American
Scientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
in June 1984 and left the magazine in August 1994. Following the tradition established by Gerard Piel
Gerard Piel
Gerard Piel was the publisher of the new Scientific American magazine starting in 1948. He wrote for magazines, including The Nation, and published books on science for the general public.-Biography:...
and Dennis Flanagan
Dennis Flanagan
Dennis Flanagan was an editor of Scientific American starting in 1947.He worked at Scientific American for more than 30 years starting in 1947. He was married to author Ellen Raskin....
he managed a staff of editors, artists, and writers who express the development of science in such fields as physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
, cosmology
Cosmology
Cosmology is the discipline that deals with the nature of the Universe as a whole. Cosmologists seek to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and ultimate fate of the Universe at large, as well as the natural laws that keep it in order...
, evolution
Evolution
Evolution is any change across successive generations in the heritable characteristics of biological populations. Evolutionary processes give rise to diversity at every level of biological organisation, including species, individual organisms and molecules such as DNA and proteins.Life on Earth...
, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, archeology, anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He maintained the magazine’s focus on medicine and health care, the impact of information technology on society and the economy, strategic weaponry, and the relationship between the environment and the global economy. *Continuing the series of annual single-topic issues, the magazine — under Jonathan Piel’s editorship — covered such topics as the relationship between mind and brain, human economic growth and the environment, and the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
epidemic.
At Stanford University
Before assuming the editorship of Scientific American, Jonathan Piel worked with Edward Rubenstein, then the Associate Dean of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Stanford University School of MedicineStanford University School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine is a leading medical school located at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, California. Originally based in San Francisco, California as Cooper Medical College, it is the oldest continuously running medical school in the western United States...
, to create Scientific American Medicine, a text designed to keep physician-subscribers abreast of significant changes in internal medicine.
Career Origins
Piel began covering science and technology as a writer in the Public Relations Department of the American Institute of PhysicsAmerican Institute of Physics
The American Institute of Physics promotes science, the profession of physics, publishes physics journals, and produces publications for scientific and engineering societies. The AIP is made up of various member societies...
. He joined the editorial staff of Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
in 1967. In 1969, he became a member of the Editorial Board of Scientific American.
Family
He is the son of Gerard Piel and Mary Tapp Bird (both deceased) and the stepson of Eleanor Jackson Piel. Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he attended the City & Country School, The Putney School
The Putney School
The Putney School is an independent high school in Putney, Vermont. It was founded in 1935 by Carmelita Hinton. It is a co-educational, college-preparatory boarding school, with a day-student component, located outside of Brattleboro, Vermont. Emily Jones is the director...
in Putney, Vermont
Putney, Vermont
Putney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census.On December 26, 1753 Col.Josiah Willard led a proprietors' petition for a Putney charter which was issued by Governor Benning Wentworth of the New Hampshire Grants under King George II of England...
, and graduated from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1961. In 2002, he earned a Master of Professional Studies degree from the N.Y.U.
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
Tisch School of the Arts, in its Interactive Telecommunications Program.
Sources
The records of the City & Country School, The Putney SchoolThe Putney School
The Putney School is an independent high school in Putney, Vermont. It was founded in 1935 by Carmelita Hinton. It is a co-educational, college-preparatory boarding school, with a day-student component, located outside of Brattleboro, Vermont. Emily Jones is the director...
in Putney, Vermont
Putney, Vermont
Putney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census.On December 26, 1753 Col.Josiah Willard led a proprietors' petition for a Putney charter which was issued by Governor Benning Wentworth of the New Hampshire Grants under King George II of England...
, Harvard College, N.Y.U. Tisch School of the Arts.
N.Y. Times (passim)
Mastheads of Scientific American from 1969 through 1994.
His children are editor, Sarah Piel (b 1970) and actress/casting director Katie Piel (b. 1977).