Landon Jones

Landon Y. Jones, often referred to as "Lanny," was a prominent American writer and editor, best known for his influential role in the magazine industry and his contributions to literature. Born on November 4, 1943, in Rome, Georgia, he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Princeton University in 1966 with a degree in English, where he also engaged in journalism as a reporter for The Daily Princetonian .12

Career Highlights

Jones began his career at Time Inc., initially writing for Time magazine before editing Princeton Alumni Weekly from 1969 to 1975. He later became the managing editor of Money magazine from 1984 to 1989 and then served as the managing editor of People magazine from 1989 to 1997. Under his leadership, People experienced a significant increase in sales and launched several successful spin-offs, including People en Español and In Style .24

In addition to his editorial work, Jones authored several notable books, including:

• Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation (1980), where he coined the term "baby boomer."
• William Clark and the Shaping of the West (2004), a biography of the explorer.
• Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers (2023), which critiques celebrity culture .123

Personal Life and Legacy

Jones was deeply involved in his community and supported various local organizations, including the Princeton Alumni Corps and the Alzheimer’s Association. He was also recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Time Inc. in 2015 .13

Landon Jones passed away on August 17, 2024, at the age of 80 due to complications from myelofibrosis. He is remembered not only for his contributions to journalism but also for mentoring young writers and his active participation in the Princeton community .14