Thomas Guinzburg (May 28 1915 – November 2 1994) was an American magazine publisher and editor, most prominently known as a co‑founder and longtime publisher of the literary quarterly The Paris Review.
Early life and education
- Born in New York City to a family involved in the liquor‑distribution business.
- Graduated from Harvard College in 1937.
Career
- In 1953, Guinzburg partnered with writer George Plimpton and Harvard classmate Harold L. Humes to launch The Paris Review. He provided the initial financing and served as the magazine’s publisher, overseeing its operations for more than two decades.
- Under his stewardship, The Paris Review became a leading venue for interviews with major writers and for publishing contemporary fiction, poetry, and criticism.
- Later in his career, Guinzburg held the position of publisher at The New Yorker for a brief period in the early 1970s, during which he managed the business side of the magazine while editorial decisions remained with the editor.
Personal life
- Served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
- Married three times; his second wife, Shirley B. McKeen, was a noted sculptor.
Legacy
Thomas Guinzburg’s contributions to literary publishing are most strongly associated with the establishment and sustained success of The Paris Review, which continues to be regarded as a premier platform for contemporary literature. His role in supporting and promoting emerging writers helped shape the mid‑20th‑century literary landscape in the United States and abroad.
