Condé Nast (businessman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Condé Nast
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| Born |
Condé Montrose Nast
March 26, 1873 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | September 19, 1942 (aged 69) New York City, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Georgetown University Washington University |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Spouse(s) |
Clarisse Coudert
(m. 1902; div. 1925)Leslie Foster
(m. 1928; div. 1932) |
| Partner(s) | Helen Brown Norden (1932–1936) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | William F. Nast Esther Benoist |
| Relatives | William Nast (grandfather) Louis Auguste Benoist (grandfather) Jane Bonham Carter, Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (granddaughter) |
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Condé Montrose Nast (March 26, 1873 – September 19, 1942) was an important American publisher and entrepreneur. He started the famous company called Condé Nast. This company publishes well-known magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue, and The New Yorker.
Contents
Condé Nast's Early Life and Education
Condé Montrose Nast was born in New York City on March 26, 1873. He was named after his uncle. His family came from the Midwest.
His father, William F. Nast, was an inventor. His grandfather, William Nast, was a German-born Methodist leader. Condé's mother, Esther A. Benoist, came from a well-known French family. They had moved to Canada and then to Missouri. Condé had three brothers and sisters.
How Condé Nast Studied for His Career
Condé's aunt helped pay for his education. He went to Georgetown University and finished in 1894. While there, he was the president of his class. He was also part of Georgetown's debating group, the Philodemic Society.
He stayed at Georgetown for another year. In 1895, he earned a master's degree. Later, in 1897, he earned a law degree. This was from Washington University in St. Louis.
Condé Nast's Publishing Career
Condé Nast did not enjoy working in law. After finishing his studies, he took a job with a friend from Georgetown. This friend was Robert J. Collier. Condé became the advertising manager for Collier's Weekly.
Over ten years, he made the advertising money for Collier's grow by a huge amount. He also published books and Lippincott's Monthly Magazine with Robert M. McBride.
Building a Magazine Empire
After leaving Collier's, Condé Nast bought Vogue. At that time, Vogue was a small magazine about New York society. He changed it into one of America's top fashion magazines.
Next, he turned Vanity Fair into a smart magazine for everyone. His friend Frank Crowninshield helped him. Crowninshield was the editor for more than 20 years. Vanity Fair featured many new and talented writers. It also showed pictures of modern art.
Condé Nast eventually owned many magazines. These included House & Garden. He also had British, French, and Argentine versions of Vogue. Other magazines were Le Jardin des Modes and Glamour. Glamour was the last magazine he added before he passed away.
While other publishers just tried to sell more magazines, Nast had a different idea. He focused on specific groups of readers. He targeted people based on their interests or how much money they earned. Some important people who worked for him were Edna Woolman Chase, who was the editor-in-chief of Vogue, Dorothy Parker, and Robert Benchley.
Condé Nast's Personal Life
Condé Nast was married two times. His first wife was Clarisse Coudert. She was an heiress and became a designer for theater sets and costumes. They married in 1902 and had two children, including Charles Coudert Nast.
His second wife was Leslie Foster. They married in 1928 and had one child.
Condé Nast faced financial difficulties during the Great Depression. He spent his last years trying to get back the wealth he had before. Condé Nast passed away on September 19, 1942. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. His grave is in Section 25 of the cemetery. It is near the graves of famous people like Babe Ruth.
Images for kids
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Condé Nast's signature
