Gardner Cowles

Gardner Cowles (January 31, 1903 – July 8, 1985) was an American newspaper publisher and media executive who became one of the most influential figures in American journalism and publishing. Born into a prominent Iowa newspaper family, Cowles inherited and expanded his family's media interests, eventually building a vast media empire that included newspapers, magazines, and radio stations across the United States. He is best known for founding and developing Look magazine in 1937, which became one of the most successful pictorial magazines in America, rivaling Life magazine in circulation and cultural influence. Look magazine was renowned for its photography, feature journalism, and visual storytelling, and under Cowles's leadership it became a major force in American popular culture and journalism during the mid-20th century. Beyond Look, Cowles owned numerous newspapers including the Des Moines Register and the Minneapolis Star Tribune, making him one of the most powerful media figures of his era. He was known for his business acumen and editorial vision, shaping public discourse through his publications. Cowles's legacy in American media remains significant, as his pioneering work in magazine publishing and his business strategies influenced generations of media executives.