Alfred A. Knopf Jr.
American publisher (1918–2009)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alfred Abraham Knopf Jr. (June 17, 1918 – February 14, 2009) was an American publisher. He was one of the founders of Atheneum Publishers in 1959.
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Alfred A. Knopf Jr. | |
|---|---|
Alfred A. Knopf Jr. in 1937 | |
| Born | June 17, 1918 White Plains, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 2009 (aged 90) U.S. |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Spouse |
Alice Laine (m. 1952) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Alfred A. Knopf Sr. Blanche Knopf |
Biography
He was the only child of publisher Alfred A. Knopf Sr. and Blanche Wolf. He was born in White Plains, New York, on June 17, 1918, and as a child, was given the nickname "Pat". His parents founded the book company Alfred A. Knopf in 1915. In 1921, Knopf attended the Birch Wathen School while his parents were in Europe.[1] At the age of seven, in 1925, he was sent to a boarding school, first at the Riverdale Country School, in the Bronx, New York. From 1933 until 1937, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy and attended Union College for three years.[2]
The summer after he graduated from Exeter, he ran away from home, despondent over being turned down by Princeton University. Following a police search, he was found in Salt Lake City, Utah.[3]
During World War II, Knopf joined the Army Air Force and served in the 446th Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force. During his service, he piloted the B-24 Bomber "Rough Buddy" through almost 100 missions alongside engineer Richard E. Morton. He became a captain.
In 1952, he married Alice Laine. They had three children, Alison Knopf Insinger, Susan Knopf, and David A. Knopf.[4]
He was one of the founders of Atheneum Publishers in 1959. He died on February 14, 2009, from complications following a fall.[2]