DeWitt Wallace

DeWitt Wallace (November 12, 1889 – April 30, 1981) was an American publisher and entrepreneur best known for founding Reader's Digest magazine in 1922 alongside his wife Lila Bell Acheson Wallace. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Wallace conceived the idea for Reader's Digest while recovering from war injuries during World War I, inspired by the need for condensed, high-quality reading material. The magazine's innovative format—reprinting and condensing articles from other publications—proved wildly popular, eventually becoming one of the most widely circulated magazines globally. At its peak, Reader's Digest reached millions of households across multiple countries and languages. Wallace was also a pioneering philanthropist and conservationist, using his considerable wealth to support education, medical research, and environmental preservation. His legacy extends beyond publishing; he fundamentally changed how information was disseminated to mass audiences and demonstrated the commercial viability of accessible, curated content. The Wallaces were among America's most generous donors, and their philanthropic foundation continues their work today.