Peter Schwed (1911 – December 18, 2001) was a distinguished American editor and publishing executive, best known for his long and influential career at Simon & Schuster.
Early Life and Education
Born in New York City in 1911, Schwed attended Princeton University, graduating in 1932. After college, he briefly worked in advertising before pursuing a career in publishing.Career at Simon & Schuster
Schwed joined the renowned publishing house Simon & Schuster in 1945. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Executive Editor, then Editor-in-Chief in 1956. Over the years, he held various senior positions, including Chairman of the Editorial Board, and ultimately served as Senior Vice President and a member of the Executive Committee.During his tenure, Schwed was instrumental in the publication of numerous successful and critically acclaimed books. He was known for his keen editorial judgment and his ability to work closely with authors. Among the many prominent authors he collaborated with were Will Durant (on The Story of Civilization series), Max Shulman, and Kay Thompson (creator of the Eloise books). He retired from his full-time role in 1982 but continued to serve as a consultant for Simon & Schuster for many years thereafter.
Authored Works
Beyond his editorial work, Schwed was also an author himself. He wrote several books, primarily on the subject of fishing, a lifelong passion. His works include:- Great Stories of the Outdoors (editor)
- The Book of Fishing (editor)
- Hooked on Fishing (memoir)
- Shrink-Proof (a novel published under a pseudonym)
- Fishing from the Earliest Times (co-authored with Paul Schullery)