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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Author

Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson is an American journalist, author, biographer, and professor of history at Tulane University.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Walter Isaacson is an American journalist, author, and professor known for bestselling biographies of figures like Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Elon Musk.

What it is

Walter Isaacson is a biographer and historian who has written deeply researched books on major figures in science, technology, politics, and business. His works include *Steve Jobs*, *Einstein: His Life and Universe*, *Benjamin Franklin: An American Life*, *Leonardo da Vinci*, *The Code Breaker* (on Jennifer Doudna), and *Elon Musk*. He is also a professor of history at Tulane University.

Why it matters

Isaacson’s biographies shape public understanding of innovation and leadership. His book *Steve Jobs* won the 2012 Gerald Loeb Award, and he received the National Humanities Medal in 2023. His work is widely read in Canada and around the world, influencing how people think about technology and history.

Key details

Born in New Orleans in 1952, Isaacson studied at Harvard and Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He served as editor of *Time* magazine, chairman and CEO of CNN, and president of the Aspen Institute. He has also written biographies of Henry Kissinger and Benjamin Franklin.

In short

  • Author of bestselling biographies of Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Elon Musk.
  • Former editor of Time, CEO of CNN, and head of the Aspen Institute.
  • Won the Gerald Loeb Award in 2012 and the National Humanities Medal in 2023.
  • Currently a history professor at Tulane University.
Canadian angle

Walter Isaacson is relevant to Canadian readers as an internationally known biographer whose books on technology, science, and business are widely read in Canada.

Quick questions

Who is Walter Isaacson?
Walter Isaacson is an American journalist, author, and professor known for biographies of major public figures like Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Elon Musk.
What books has Walter Isaacson written?
His books include *Steve Jobs*, *Einstein: His Life and Universe*, *Benjamin Franklin: An American Life*, *Leonardo da Vinci*, *The Code Breaker*, and *Elon Musk*.
Is Walter Isaacson a journalist?
Yes. He worked as editor of *Time* magazine and chairman and CEO of CNN, and is widely described as a journalist.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Isaacson
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, occupation, major books, and Steve Jobs biography.
  2. Obama Foundation — https://www.obama.org/programs/my-brothers-keeper-alliance/about/advisory-council/walter-isaacson/
    Supports: Roles at Tulane, Aspen Institute, CNN, and authorship of several biographies.
  3. National Book Foundation — https://www.nationalbook.org/people/walter-isaacson/
    Supports: Books authored and leadership roles.
  4. National Endowment for the Humanities — https://www.neh.gov/about/awards/jefferson-lecture/walter-isaacson-biography
    Supports: Birth date, career overview, and Steve Jobs biography details.
  5. PEN America — https://www.pen.org/profile/walter-isaacson/
    Supports: Biographies authored, Tulane role, Aspen Institute role, and National Humanities Medal.
  6. National Endowment for the Humanities — https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2014/mayjune/conversation/venn-diagram-walter-isaacson
    Supports: Journalism roles at Time and CNN and CEO role at Aspen Institute.