Princeton author Landon Jones dies at 80

Landon “Lanny” Y. Jones, the former editor of People magazine, died Saturday surrounded by his family. He was 80.
His columns, editorials, and stories appeared in numerous publications, including Time, Life, The Atlantic Monthy, The New York Times, and The New Yorker magazine. His books include Celebrity Nation: How America Evolved into a Culture of Fans and Followers, William Clark and the Shaping of the West, The Essential Lewis and Clark, and Great Expectations: America and the Baby Boom Generation. Jones coined the phrase “baby boomer” in Great Expectations, which was nominated for the American Book Award in Nonfiction.
In 2015, Jones was honored with the Time Inc. 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding journalism career.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Jones majored in English at Princeton University, where he was a reporter for The Daily Princetonian. He graduated in 1966 and wrote for Life before returning to his alma mater in 1969 to become the editor of The Princeton Alumni Weekly. He later wrote for Time and People before becoming the managing editor of Money magazine from 1984 to 1989. Under his direction, the magazine won three consecutive National Magazine Awards.
From 1989-97, Jones was the managing editor of People magazine at Time Inc., the most successful magazine in publishing history. While at People, Jones directed the editorial planning and launching of three new magazines: Who Weekly, In Style, and People en Espanol.
He taught courses in advanced nonfiction writing as a visiting McGraw Professor at Princeton University, a writer in Residence at Northwestern University, and an adjunct professor in the honors program at Montana State University.
Jones was deeply engaged in the Princeton community and supported many local organizations, including People and Stories. He was a friend of the Institute for Advanced Study and the Princeton University Library, and was an active member of the Old Guard, a club for retired and semi-retired Princetonians. He was a trusted advisor to local journalists and was always eager to mentor young journalists he met at functions at his alma mater Princeton University.
He served on the board of The Rita Allen Foundation, a philanthropy with a special focus on transformative ideas in their early stages, the Alzheimer’s Association, American Rivers, and the Princeton Alumni Corps. He was also a member of the Graduate Advisory Council of the Princeton University Department of English.
Jones had battled leukemia for several years but was determined to keep writing. His last book, Celebrity Nation, was released in 2023.
A memorial service for Jones will be held in the fall.
Editor’s note: We will update this story with more obituary information and a memorial date when it becomes available. Lanny was a wonderful friend and supporter of Planet Princeton and will be missed by many in our community. Our deepest sympathy to Lanny’s family and friends.

Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
Lanny was a generous soul, and a strong supporter of all journalism. Sad news, but we will celebrate his life and contributions.