Jon Meacham Explained

Jon Meacham
Birth Name:Jon Ellis Meacham
Birth Date:20 May 1969
Birth Place:Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Education:University of the South (BA)
Children:3
Awards:Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography

Jon Ellis Meacham (; born May 20, 1969) is an American writer, reviewer, historian and presidential biographer who is serving as the Canon Historian of the Washington National Cathedral since November 7, 2021. A former executive editor and executive vice president at Random House, he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, a contributing editor to Time magazine, and a former editor-in-chief of Newsweek. He is the author of several books. He won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography for American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. He holds the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Endowed Chair in American Presidency at Vanderbilt University.

Early life and education

Meacham was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His parents are Jere Ellis Meacham (1946–2008), a construction and labor-relations executive who was decorated for valor during the Vietnam War,[1] and Linda (McBrayer) Brodie. His paternal grandparents, Ellis K. Meacham and Jean Austin Meacham, raised him after his parents' divorce.[2] When he was a child, his grandfather had discussions each morning with a group of men about local and national politics. As a result, Meacham developed an interest in politics. He received an invitation to Ronald Reagan's 1981 inauguration in Washington, D.C., in response to a letter that he sent to the president-elect.

Meacham attended The McCallie School, where he developed an interest in the civil rights movement. He then went on to attend where he graduated salutatorian and summa cum laude in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.[3] [4]

Career

Journalist and editor

After college, he worked at The Chattanooga Times, until he moved to Washington, D.C., in 1993 and became co-editor of Washington Monthly. In 1995, he worked for Newsweek as the national affairs editor, and became managing editor in late-1998.[5] [6] In 2006, he became editor-in-chief of Newsweeks print and online formats.

A former executive editor and executive vice president at Random House,[7] he is a contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review and The Washington Post, and a contributing editor to Time magazine.[8]

Biographer and book author

He was the editor for Voices in Our Blood: America's Best on the Civil Rights Movement which was released in 2001. Spanning the period from 1941 to 1998, the book includes writings of noted civil-rights leaders, novelists, and journalists, like John Lewis, James Baldwin, William Faulkner, and David Halberstam. His book, Franklin and Winston, Partners of an Intimate Relationship about Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, was released in 2003.

Meacham has explored America's leaders in such works as Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power as well as his biography of Andrew Jackson, American Lion, which won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.[9] [10] Jill Abramson writing in a book review in The New York Times states that Meacham's books are "well researched, drawing on new anecdotal material and up-to-date historiographical interpretations" and presents his "subjects as figures of heroic grandeur despite all-too-human shortcomings". In his biography of Jefferson, Meacham identifies qualities that would be helpful in the current political arena, "Jefferson repeatedly reached out to his enemies and showed ideological flexibility." Regarding the former president's stance on slavery, Meacham states, "Slavery was the rare subject where Jefferson's sense of realism kept him from marshaling his sense of hope in the service of the cause of reform."

Selected by the Bush family to be the official biographer for George H. W. Bush, Meacham's book, , was published in 2015. He gave eulogies for both President Bush and Barbara Bush when they died in 2018.[11]

Other appearances

Over the years Meacham has been a frequent guest on various talk shows such as Charlie Rose, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher. From May 2010 to April 2011, Meacham was co-host with Alison Stewart of Need to Know on PBS. He is also a frequent guest on CBS This Morning, Face the Nation, MSNBC's Morning Joe, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[12] [13]

In 2014, Meacham appeared in Ken Burns' documentary series on PBS. He also appeared in a cameo in the 2018 film The Front Runner.

Meacham taught history at his alma mater, the University of the South, in 2014.[3] He was a visiting professor of political science at Vanderbilt University[14] before being appointed to the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair in American Presidency.[15] Meacham is also the co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy at Vanderbilt University.

Politics

Meacham was asked to speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention on the Soul of America. He endorsed Joe Biden, saying, "history, which will surely be our judge, can also be our guide. From Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall, we're at our best when we build bridges, not walls".[16] According to The New York Times, Meacham was part of the team writing some of Joe Biden's speeches for the 2020 United States presidential election, including Biden's acceptance speech,[17] and his 2024 State of the Union address.[18]

In November 2022, Meacham helped Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, write a speech announcing that she would not seek reelection to House Democratic leadership in the 118th United States Congress.[19]

Awards and honors

Meacham has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities:

Personal life

, Meacham resides in Belle Meade, Tennessee. He married Margaret Keith Smythe, called Keith, in 1996. At the time of their marriage, she was a teacher, having studied at the University of Virginia and the University of Provence. She taught in Metz, France under a Fulbright Scholarship.[31] They have three children.[32]

Meacham is an Episcopalian, and was chosen as Canon Historian of Washington National Cathedral in 2021.[33] [34]

Bibliography

TitleYearISBNPublisherSubject matterInterviews, presentations, and reviewsComments
Voices in Our Blood: America's Best on the Civil Rights Movement2001Random HouseCivil rights movementWashington Journal interview with Meacham on Voices In Our Blood, February 21, 2001, C-SPANMeacham was editor of this book
Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship2003Random HouseFranklin Roosevelt, Winston ChurchillPresentation by Meacham on Franklin and Winston, November 5, 2003, C-SPAN
Booknotes interview with Meacham on Franklin and Winston, January 5, 2004, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on Franklin and Winston, January 30, 2019, C-SPAN
Meacham discusses Franklin & Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library
American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation2006Random HouseHistory of religion in the United States, Founding Fathers of the United StatesInterview with Meacham on American Gospel, June 14, 2006, C-SPAN
2008Random HouseAndrew JacksonPresentation by Meacham on American Lion, November 16, 2008, C-SPAN
Washington Journal interview with Meacham on American Lion, December 18, 2008, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on American Lion, September 26, 2009, C-SPAN
Interview with Meacham on American Lion, September 26, 2009, C-SPAN
American Homer: Reflections on Shelby Foote and His Classic The Civil War: A Narrative 2001Random HouseShelby Foote, Meacham was editor of this work, which is available as part of Random House's 2011 edition of the boxed set of Foote's Civil War trilogy[35]
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power2012Random HouseThomas JeffersonPresentation by Meacham on Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, November 14, 2012, C-SPAN
2015Random HouseGeorge H.W. BushPresentation by Meacham on Destiny and Power, November 8, 2015, C-SPAN
Discussion with Meacham and George W. Bush about the life and career of George H.W. Bush, November 8, 2015, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on Destiny and Power, November 21, 2015, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on Destiny and Power, September 24, 2016, C-SPAN
2018Random HouseHistory of the United StatesPresentation by Meacham on The Soul of America, May 9, 2018, C-SPAN
Washington Journal interview with Meacham on The Soul of America, May 23, 2018, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on The Soul of America, September 1, 2018, C-SPAN
Presentation by Meacham on The Soul of America, January 31, 2019, C-SPAN
2018Modern LibraryImpeachment of Andrew JohnsonPanel discussion with Meacham, Naftali, Baker, and Engel on Impeachment: An American History, February 20, 2019, C-SPANMeacham wrote the portion of this book about the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Three other writers wrote on impeachment efforts related to other presidents: Timothy Naftali (Nixon), Peter Baker (Clinton), and Jeffrey A. Engel (Trump).
Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation2019Random HouseMusic of the United StatesPresentation by Meacham and Tim McGraw on Songs of America, January 29, 2020, C-SPANWritten with Tim McGraw.
2020Convergent BooksSayings of Jesus on the cross
His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope2020Random HouseJohn LewisPresentation by Meacham on His Truth Is Marching On, September 26, 2020, C-SPAN
Interview with Meacham on His Truth Is Marching On, September 26, 2020, C-SPAN
Panel discussion featuring Meacham on John Lewis, March 23, 2021, C-SPAN
2022Random HouseAbraham LincolnInterview with Meacham on And There Was Light, October 24, 2022, C-SPAN

Notes and References

  1. News: Meacham, Jere Ellis . October 1, 2008 . March 19, 2020 . en.
  2. News: Journalist is topic for 21st Century Club . January 23, 2003 . The Star-Herald . March 19, 2020 . 18.
  3. News: Jon Meacham (C'91) returns to Sewanee as a history professor . June 9, 2018 . The Sewanee Purple . February 15, 2014.
  4. News: University of the South marks 150 years . October 11, 2007 . The Tennessean . March 18, 2020 . B2.
  5. News: Sewanee grad scales magazine heights . February 5, 2001 . The Tennessean . March 19, 2020 . Michael. Cass . 14.
  6. News: Meacham: Success no surprise to peers . February 5, 2001 . The Tennessean . March 19, 2020 . Michael. Cass . 15.
  7. News: 'Art of Power' Author Jon Meacham to Speak on Jefferson . September 23, 2014 . Matt. Kelly. March 19, 2020 . en.
  8. News: Adweek . November 11, 2010 . Jon Meacham Becomes Time Contributing Editor . September 9, 2011 . March 19, 2020 . en.
  9. News: Abramson . Jill . Grand Bargainer . November 2, 2012 . The New York Times . November 27, 2020 . en-US . 0362-4331.
  10. Web site: The 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Biography . The Pulitzer Prizes . en . March 18, 2020.
  11. News: Jon Meacham, Bush's Biographer, Will Also Deliver a Eulogy . Michael . Tackett . December 4, 2018 . The New York Times . June 13, 2019.
  12. Web site: Joe: Donald Trump's hostile takeover of the Republican Party . March 2, 2016 . . June 30, 2016.
  13. Web site: Meacham: Bush knew exactly what he was saying . November 6, 2015 . MSNBC . June 30, 2016.
  14. News: Elliott . Stephen . Haslam joining Vanderbilt faculty for leadership course . September 4, 2019 . March 19, 2020 . en.
  15. News: Historian Goodwin Says Look to Past Presidents for Easing Current Political Divide . November 7, 2019 . March 19, 2020 . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20191108152458/https://tntribune.com/community/local/nashville/historian-goodwin-says-look-to-past-presidents-for-easing-current-political-divide/. 8 November 2019. Tennessee Tribune.
  16. Web site: Hains . Tim . August 20, 2020. Historian Jon Meacham Speaks On Final Night Of Democratic Convention. 2020-08-21. www.realclearpolitics.com.
  17. News: Karni. Annie. November 9, 2020. The historian Jon Meacham, who wrote of 'the soul of America,' has been working on Biden's speeches.. en-US. The New York Times. November 9, 2020. 0362-4331.
  18. News: Rogers . Katie . 2024-03-06 . Biden Preps for the State of the Union Speech and Rowdy Republicans . 2024-03-06 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  19. Web site: 2022-11-17 . Nancy Pelosi says she will not seek re-election as Democratic leader in House – as it happened . 2022-11-18 . The Guardian . en.
  20. https://www.thelincolnforum.org/richard-nelson-current-award-of-achievement The Lincoln Forum
  21. News: Gregg . Becca . May 23, 2010 . Dickinson College sends graduates into the world . . . May 17, 2017.
  22. News: Sewanee honors Bush, Meacham . Monica . Mercer . May 16, 2010 . . June 13, 2019.
  23. Web site: Sewanee announces honorary degree recipients . https://web.archive.org/web/20180423034111/https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/sewanee-announces-honorary-degree-recipients . dead . April 23, 2018 . May 13, 2010 . . June 13, 2019 .
  24. Web site: Honorary Degrees . Loyola University New Orleans . June 13, 2019.
  25. Web site: Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham to address Loyola's centennial class . March 20, 2012 . Loyola University New Orleans . June 13, 2019 .
  26. Web site: 2017: Honorary degrees . . June 13, 2019.
  27. Web site: Jon Meacham to Give Middlebury College Commencement Address . . April 6, 2017 . June 13, 2019.
  28. Web site: Board of Trustees Approves Honorary Degree for Pulitzer Prize Writer Meacham . March 30, 2017 . . June 13, 2019.
  29. Web site: Pulitzer Winner, Congresswoman to Address Class of 2018 . May 18, 2018 . . June 13, 2019.
  30. Web site: Millsaps announces honorary degree recipients: Jon Meacham, Jesmyn Ward, Dr. Lamar Weems . May 2, 2019 . Mississippi Today . en-US . March 18, 2020.
  31. News: Smithe-Meacham engagement told . November 14, 1996 . The Star-Herald . March 18, 2020 . 24.
  32. News: Reed . Julia . House Tour: Is This The Chicest Home In Nashville? . July 15, 2014 . March 19, 2020 . en-US.
  33. Web site: Paulsen. David. 2021-03-10. Washington National Cathedral names Jon Meacham canon historian. 2021-11-06. Episcopal News Service. en-US.
  34. News: Jenkins. Jack. 12 March 2021. Washington National Cathedral names Jon Meacham canon historian. 6 November 2021. The Washington Post.
  35. Web site: The Civil War Trilogy Box Set . Random House Group . September 23, 2023.

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