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Max Gissen

1909 – 1985

20th-century American journalist

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About Max Gissen

Lived 1909 – 1985 (aged 75–76). Max Gissen was an American literary critic, journalist, teacher and writer.

Max Gissen (1909 – November 14, 1984) was an American journalist known for book reviews in the magazine Time.

Background Max Gissen was born in Kyiv, then the Russian Empire (today, Ukraine) and came with his family to the United States. He grew up in Brattleboro, Vermont. He attended Clark University.

Career Gissen reviewed books in the magazine The New Republic under Edmund Wilson. During World War II, he served in the US Army as an infantry captain in Europe. In 1946, he joined Time, where he interacted with Whittaker Chambers, T.S. Matthews, and publisher and co-founder Henry Luce. Initially, he wrote the Press section; in 1947, he took over book reviews. He also started the Time Reading Program, a book series. While at Time, he wrote cover stories on Louis Armstrong and John P. Marquand, the latter of which won public praise from publisher Henry Luce. Gissen retired in 1967.

Personal life and death Gissen married Louise; they had a son and daughter. Gissen died at age 75 on November 14, 1984, at his home in Weston, Connecticut.

Awards 1 Silver Star 4 Bronze Stars 5 Battle Stars

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Important facts

Born
1909
Birth century
Died
1985
Nationality
Education
Clark University

People in Max Gissen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Max Gissen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Max Gissen?

20th-century American journalist

When was Max Gissen born?

Max Gissen was born in 1909.

When did Max Gissen die?

Max Gissen died in 1985.

What was Max Gissen's occupation?

Max Gissen was a literary critic, journalist, teacher and writer.

What nationality was Max Gissen?

Max Gissen was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Max Gissen

· Wikidata: Q104814977

· DBpedia: Max Gissen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Max Gissen. https://biography.guide/max-gissen/

MLA: "Max Gissen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/max-gissen/.

Chicago: "Max Gissen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/max-gissen/.

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