Walter Isaacson, born Walter Seff Isaacson on May 20, 1952, is a renowned American author, journalist, and professor. He stands as an influential figure in the realms of literature and academia, having served as the president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C., as well as the chair and CEO of CNN, and the editor of Time magazine.

Isaacson's educational journey took him to Harvard University and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he was a Rhodes scholar. His prolific writing career includes co-authoring with Evan Thomas The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made (1986) and authoring numerous impactful biographies such as Pro and Con (1983), Kissinger: A Biography (1992), Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2003), Einstein: His Life and Universe (2007), American Sketches (2009), Steve Jobs (2011), The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution (2014), Leonardo da Vinci (2017), The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race (2021) and Elon Musk (2023).

Further extending his expertise beyond writing, Isaacson is a professor at Tulane University and an advisory partner at Perella Weinberg Partners, a New York City-based financial services firm. His commitment to public service is evident through his roles such as vice chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, chair of the government board running Voice of America, and member of the Defense Innovation Board, showcasing his dedication to rebuilding and innovation.