Charles Peters, the founder of Washington Monthly magazine, passed away last week at the age of 96.
He was born in Appalachia, in 1923, the eldest of six children. He excelled in school, eventually attending Columbia University, Oxford University, and Harvard Law School.
Educated in the same style as his more privileged classmates, he was determined to bring his unique working-class perspective to the Washington political scene. In 1969, Peters launched the Washington Monthly.
The magazine saw a substantial growth in its readership over the years as it took on the task of reporting on issues impacting the working- class. Keeping a constant eye on politics and current events, the magazine helped to keep policy makers accountable. It was an innovative approach to journalism which eventually earned Peters the 2006 National Magazine Award for General Excellence.
He didn’t just lead Washington Monthly. Peters published a series of books such as the 1989 best-seller, How Washington Really Works. His book was aimed at helping the average person understand the complexities of the political system.
Peters was also a leader in the think tank world during the Reagan administration, when he served as the Director of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the 1980s, and later as President of the Economic Strategy Institute from 1990 to 2002. In 2001, Peters also founded the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy at Washington University in St. Louis.
His passing was met with an outpouring of appreciation from journalists and political commentators from across the country. Margaret Talev, president of the White House Correspondents Association, called Peters a “true public servant and one of the great American NAACP civil rights leaders”. She was joined in her tribute by fellow journalists and political figures alike.
The legacy of Charles Peters stands as a beacon of light for all of us. Not only did he challenge the conventional wisdom of the political landscape, he worked tirelessly to ensure that Washington Monthly continued to raise public awareness and debate on important issues. His impact will be felt for many years to come.
Charles Peters, the founder of Washington Monthly magazine, passed away last week at the age of 96.
He was born in Appalachia, in 1923, the eldest of six children. He excelled in school, eventually attending Columbia University, Oxford University, and Harvard Law School.
Educated in the same style as his more privileged classmates, he was determined to bring his unique working-class perspective to the Washington political scene. In 1969, Peters launched the Washington Monthly.
The magazine saw a substantial growth in its readership over the years as it took on the task of reporting on issues impacting the working- class. Keeping a constant eye on politics and current events, the magazine helped to keep policy makers accountable. It was an innovative approach to journalism which eventually earned Peters the 2006 National Magazine Award for General Excellence.
He didn’t just lead Washington Monthly. Peters published a series of books such as the 1989 best-seller, How Washington Really Works. His book was aimed at helping the average person understand the complexities of the political system.
Peters was also a leader in the think tank world during the Reagan administration, when he served as the Director of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the 1980s, and later as President of the Economic Strategy Institute from 1990 to 2002. In 2001, Peters also founded the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy at Washington University in St. Louis.
His passing was met with an outpouring of appreciation from journalists and political commentators from across the country. Margaret Talev, president of the White House Correspondents Association, called Peters a “true public servant and one of the great American NAACP civil rights leaders”. She was joined in her tribute by fellow journalists and political figures alike.
The legacy of Charles Peters stands as a beacon of light for all of us. Not only did he challenge the conventional wisdom of the political landscape, he worked tirelessly to ensure that Washington Monthly continued to raise public awareness and debate on important issues. His impact will be felt for many years to come.
