Sebastian Mallaby
Encyclopedia
Sebastian Mallaby is a British-born journalist and author; and director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies (CGS) and Paul A. Volcker senior fellow for international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations
(CFR). He has worked as a journalist for the Financial Times
, and was a columnist and editorial board member at the Washington Post. In addition to a monthly column for the Financial Times, his recent writing has been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Atlantic Monthly. His books include More Money Than God
(2010) and The World’s Banker (2004).
, who was Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Germany (1988-1993) and Ambassador of the United Kingdom to France (1993-1996). He was educated at Eton College
and Oxford University where he graduated in 1986 with a First Class degree in modern history. His interests include financial markets, the implications of the rise of newly emerging powers, and the intersection of economics and international relations.
Mallaby worked at the Washington Post from 1999 to 2007 as a columnist and member of the editorial board. Prior to that he spent thirteen years with The Economist
, in London, where he wrote about foreign policy and international finance. He also spent time in Africa, where he covered Nelson Mandela
’s release and the collapse of apartheid; and in Japan, where he covered the breakdown of the country’s political and economic consensus during the 90s. Between 1997 and 1999 Mallaby was the Economist’s Washington bureau chief and wrote the magazine’s weekly "Lexington" column on American politics and foreign policy. His 2002 Foreign Affairs
essay "The Reluctant Imperialist" about failed states was cited by commentators in the New York Times, Financial Times, and Time magazine. Mallaby is a two-time Pulitzer Prize
finalist: in 2005 for editorials on Darfur
and in 2007 for a series on economic inequality in America.
Mallaby’s latest book is More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite
(2010). Washington Post columnist Steve Pearlstein called it "the definitive history of the hedge fund
industry, a compelling narrative full of larger-than-life characters and dramatic tales of their financial triumphs and reversals." It was the recipient of the 2011 Gerald Loeb Award
, a finalist in the 2010 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award
, and a 2010 New York Times bestseller. Mallaby’s previous books are The World’s Banker (2004), a portrait of the World Bank
under James Wolfensohn
; and After Apartheid (1992), which was a New York Times Notable Book. An essay in the Financial Times said of The World’s Banker, "Mallaby's book may well be the most hilarious depiction of a big organization and its controversial boss since Michael Lewis
's, Liar’s Poker."
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
(CFR). He has worked as a journalist for the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
, and was a columnist and editorial board member at the Washington Post. In addition to a monthly column for the Financial Times, his recent writing has been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Atlantic Monthly. His books include More Money Than God
More Money Than God
More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite is a financial book by Sebastian Mallaby. It is a history of the hedge fund industry in the United States looking at the people, institutions, investment tools and concepts of hedge funds...
(2010) and The World’s Banker (2004).
Biography
Sebastian Mallaby is the son of Sir Christopher MallabyChristopher Mallaby
Sir Christopher Leslie George Mallaby, GCMG, GCVO is a British diplomat.-Early life and career:The son of Brigadier A. W. S. Mallaby CIE OBE and Margaret Catherine Mallaby, he was educated at Eton College and studied Modern Languages and History at Kings College, Cambridge...
, who was Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Germany (1988-1993) and Ambassador of the United Kingdom to France (1993-1996). He was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and Oxford University where he graduated in 1986 with a First Class degree in modern history. His interests include financial markets, the implications of the rise of newly emerging powers, and the intersection of economics and international relations.
Mallaby worked at the Washington Post from 1999 to 2007 as a columnist and member of the editorial board. Prior to that he spent thirteen years with The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
, in London, where he wrote about foreign policy and international finance. He also spent time in Africa, where he covered Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
’s release and the collapse of apartheid; and in Japan, where he covered the breakdown of the country’s political and economic consensus during the 90s. Between 1997 and 1999 Mallaby was the Economist’s Washington bureau chief and wrote the magazine’s weekly "Lexington" column on American politics and foreign policy. His 2002 Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
essay "The Reluctant Imperialist" about failed states was cited by commentators in the New York Times, Financial Times, and Time magazine. Mallaby is a two-time Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
finalist: in 2005 for editorials on Darfur
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North Darfur...
and in 2007 for a series on economic inequality in America.
Mallaby’s latest book is More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite
More Money Than God
More Money Than God: Hedge Funds and the Making of a New Elite is a financial book by Sebastian Mallaby. It is a history of the hedge fund industry in the United States looking at the people, institutions, investment tools and concepts of hedge funds...
(2010). Washington Post columnist Steve Pearlstein called it "the definitive history of the hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
industry, a compelling narrative full of larger-than-life characters and dramatic tales of their financial triumphs and reversals." It was the recipient of the 2011 Gerald Loeb Award
Gerald Loeb Award
The Gerald Loeb Award, also referred to as the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism, is a recognition of excellence in journalism, especially in the fields of business, finance and the economy. The award was established in 1957 by Gerald Loeb, a founding partner of...
, a finalist in the 2010 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award
Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award
Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award is an annual award given to the best business book of the year as determined by the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs. It aims to find the book that has ‘the most compelling and enjoyable insight into modern business issues.’ The...
, and a 2010 New York Times bestseller. Mallaby’s previous books are The World’s Banker (2004), a portrait of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
under James Wolfensohn
James Wolfensohn
Sir James David Wolfensohn AO KBE FKC was the ninth president of the World Bank Group.-Early life:James Wolfensohn was born in Sydney, Australia, on 1 December 1933...
; and After Apartheid (1992), which was a New York Times Notable Book. An essay in the Financial Times said of The World’s Banker, "Mallaby's book may well be the most hilarious depiction of a big organization and its controversial boss since Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis may refer to:*Michael Lewis , American non-fiction author and financial journalist*Michael Lewis , Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf*Michael Lewis , Belizean racing cyclist...
's, Liar’s Poker."
External links
- Author Sebastian Mallaby, Charlie Rose show, July 14, 2010.