Walter Isaacson, Harvard Overseer, wrote the official biography of Steve Jobs

Walter Isaacson ’74 wrote the official biography of the Apple co-founder, to be released October 24.

The authorized biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, to be released October 24, is written by Walter Isaacson ’74, CEO of the Aspen Institute, the former managing editor of Time magazine, and a Harvard Overseer.

After Jobs died October 5 of complications from pancreatic cancer, the book climbed to the top spot on the Amazon.com bestseller list

Time canceled its previously scheduled print run this week and instead published a tribute to Jobs. A reflection by Isaacson is available to subscribers; it was quoted around the Web, including Jobs's explanation to Isaacson of why he wanted the biography to be written:

“I wanted my kids to know me,” he said. “I wasn’t always there for them, and I wanted them to know why and to understand what I did.”

Isaacson is also the author of biographies of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger ’50, Ph.D. ’54, Albert Einstein, S.D. ’35, and Benjamin Franklin, A.M. 1753, the last reviewed by Baird professor of science emeritus Dudley Herschbach for Harvard Magazine.

You might also like

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Government Seeks to Move Funding Case to Contracts Court

In a new appellate brief, the Trump administration shifts its argument for rescinding Harvard’s grants.

Harvard Graduate Student Workers Strike

Union demands higher pay, protections for non-citizen members, and changes to the harassment complaint process.

Most popular

Seth Moulton, Harvard graduate and former Marine, is profiled

A profile of former Marine Seth Moulton ’01, M.B.A.-M.P.P. ’11

AI Outperforms Doctors in Emergency Room Tasks, New Harvard Study Shows

Researchers say the technology could help physicians with triage, diagnosis.

Why Is Silicon Valley Turning Conservative?

At the Harvard Kennedy School, Van Jones analyzes how Democrats lost the tech industry’s vote.

Explore More From Current Issue

A man holding a revolver and lantern, wearing a hat and coat, appears to be walking cautiously.

Scoundrels, Then and Now

On con men, Mark Twain, and the powers of the Harvard name

White House and Harvard University buildings split diagonally with contrasting colors.

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Illustration of two students in Harvard hoodies, one speaking animatedly to a phone, the other reading, looking annoyed.

We’re All Harvard Influencers, Like It or Not

In the digital age, it’s hard to avoid playing into the mythology.