Peter W. Kaplan
Peter Wennik Kaplan (February 10, 1954 – November 29, 2013[1]) was a highly-respected editor in New York journalism circles, known for modernizing New Journalism for the digital age. He was best known for his role for fifteen years as the Editor-In-Chief of the New York Observer, a weekly newspaper. The Kingdom of New York, an anthology of articles from the famously pink paper, was co-edited by Mr. Kaplan.[2]
He most recently worked as the editorial director of Fairchild Publications' Fairchild Fashion Group, where he helped oversee the relaunch of M, a men's magazine, and oversaw Women's Wear Daily, Footwear News, Menswear, the newly formed Fairchild books division, and other ventures.[3][4]
Media appearances
On November 6, 2009, Kaplan appeared on The Charlie Rose Show, where he discussed the future of newspapers with regards to the Internet and mobile devices such as the Amazon Kindle, and Apple's iPad.[5]
Two former editors from The New York Observer, Peter Stevenson and Jim Windolf, turned Mr. Kaplan into a Twitter character with two personalities, "Wise Kaplan" and "Cranky Kaplan," followed by insiders in the New York journalism community.[6]
Early life and education
Kaplan was raised in Northern New Jersey. While in high school he joined the newspaper. He went on to obtain his degree from Harvard University in 1972. His college roommate was Robert Kennedy, Jr., son of late Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
Career
Peter Kaplan's early career started at The New York Times, Esquire and Manhattan,inc. magazine where he served under both Jane Amsterdam and iconic editor, Clay Felker.
In the early nineties he served as an Editorial Director at Conde Nast Traveler and a producer at the Charlie Rose Show. He then served as Editor-in-Chief of The New York Observer, from 1994 to 2009.
At The Observer, Mr. Kaplan worked with the following writers:
- Gossip columnist Frank DiGiacomo
- New York Times editor Alexandra Jacobs
- New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten
- Choire Sicha, the founder of The Awl
- Candace Bushnell—whose column "Sex and the City," which Kaplan named himself, became a pop culture sensation even as the paper that printed it remained relatively obscure.[7]
A frequent accolade received by Mr. Kaplan is that there are few publications in New York City—either extant or extinct—that do not bear at least some of his influence.
Personal
His parents were both from New York and he was one of three boys. At his death, Kaplan was married to Lisa Chase, an editor at Elle, and they had a son named Davey.[8] His first marriage was to Audrey Walker and produced three children: Caroline, Charles and Peter Walker.[9]
References
- ^ "Peter Kaplan, Who Brought a Cutting Edge to The New York Observer, Dies at 59 The New York Times, November 29, 2013. Retrieved: November 29, 2013.
- ^ Harper Collins, The Kingdom of New York by The New York Observer, accessed 6 November 2009.
- ^ New York Post, Kaplan goes to Fairchild, written 15 July 2010, accessed 27 August 2010.
- ^ Fairchild Biography
- ^ charlierose.com, Peter Kaplan Guest Page, accessed 19 February 2011.
- ^ The genius of the Wise and Cranky Kaplan Twitter feeds, "Slate.com", Updated November 30, 2013
- ^ "The Chronicler of the Kingdom of New York: Peter Kaplan 1954-2013" The New York Observer, November 30, 2013. Retrieved: November 30, 2013.
- ^ Heller, Nathan. "The Cranky Wisdom of Peter Kaplan, New Republic, 14 September 2012. Retrieved on 30 July 2013.
- ^ Matthews, Karen (November 30, 2013). "Ex-New York Observer editor Kaplan dies at 59". Comcast Entertainment News. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
External links
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