Norman Hapgood - Biography

Biography

Norman Hapgood was born March 28, 1868 in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Harvard University in 1890 and from the law school there in 1893, then chose to become a writer. Hapgood worked as the drama critic of the New York Commercial Advertiser and of the Bookman in 1897–1902. He was named the editor of Collier's Weekly in 1903 and remained at that post for about a decade, before leaving to become editor of Harper's Weekly in June, 1913. Hapgood's editorial style attracted much attention for its vigor and range.

During the latter part of World War I and into the early post-war period Hapgood served as president of the League of Free Nations Association, which advocated in favor of a League of Nations to adjudicate international disputes.

In this capacity Hapgood helped advance the agenda of President Woodrow Wilson, who sought the establishment of such a body at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.

In 1919 President Wilson appointed Hapgood ambassador to Denmark, in which post he served for about six months.

Hapgood helped expose Henry Ford's antisemitism as in his article, “The Inside Story of Henry Ford's Jew-Mania,” Part 4, Hearst's International, September 1922.

Hapgood was married twice. His first wife, Emilie Bigelow, who he married in 1896, went on to become famous in her own right as a theatrical producer in New York. They were divorced in 1915. Two years later, he married his second wife, Elizabeth K. Reynolds.

Hapgood died on April 29, 1937 following prostate surgery at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.