Charles Peters: Washington Monthly Founder Passes On at 96

Charles Peters, the founder of the Washington Monthly magazine, passed away at the age of 96. He was an extraordinary entrepreneur and journalist who left an enduring mark in American culture and politics which will live on long after his death. Charles Peters was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1923, and he attended Princeton University, graduating with distinction in 1944. After college, he served in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, then worked for various magazines before beginning his own publication. In 1969, Peters founded the Washington Monthly, a magazine created to “inform, stimulate, and encourage” readers in their political and civic lives. The magazine has become a standard for public discussion in the United States, with many of the ideas and debates it has sparked becoming integral to the foundation of the country. During his time running the magazine, Peters introduced groundbreaking concepts like early science fiction writers, Beat poets, and investigative reports about government misconduct. He also wrote the influential 1971 essay “A Neo-Liberal’s Credo,” which argued for smaller, more efficient government and criticized the excesses of the two-party system. Peters’ Washington Monthly was known for its wit and humor, often taking controversial stances on public policy and offering some of the most enlightening commentary on the nation’s political system. He provided a forum for both sides of an issue, allowing civil discourse and aiding in a more informed public dialogue. In the last decades of his life, Peters was proud to have been part of a transformation in the American political landscape. Although his influence is not often credited, many renowned figures have credited him for having sparked innovation and ideas that have shape the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. Peters was an invaluable presence in the national conversation and his death is a major loss for print journalism and American society. His dedication to free debate, sharp wit, and tenacity made him an inspiration and leader in the world of politics and culture. We will miss his intellectual contributions, his keen eye for important stories, and his uniquely thought-provoking points of view.