Osborn Elliott

Osborn Elliott (January 27, 1924 – December 27, 2008) was an influential American magazine editor and publisher best known for his tenure as editor-in-chief of Newsweek from 1961 to 1976. Under his leadership, Newsweek became one of the nation's most respected and widely-read news magazines, competing directly with TIME magazine. Elliott transformed Newsweek's editorial approach, emphasizing in-depth reporting and analytical journalism during a pivotal period in American history—the Vietnam War, civil rights movements, and Cold War tensions. He was known for his progressive editorial stance and his ability to attract top journalistic talent. Before joining Newsweek, Elliott worked at various publications and served in World War II. His legacy influenced the direction of American newsmagazine journalism and he is remembered as a pioneering figure in bringing sophisticated, interpretive reporting to mass-market publications during a critical era of American journalism.