Katharine Weymouth
Encyclopedia
Katharine Bouchage Weymouth (b. 1966) is the publisher of The Washington Post
and chief executive officer of Washington Post Media.
(d. 2001), Weymouth is a daughter of political columnist and publishing heiress Lally Weymouth
and the architect Yann R. Weymouth. Her mother's family has owned the newspaper since 1933, when it was purchased by her grandfather Eugene Meyer
.
She is a niece of Tina Weymouth
, a former member of the band Talking Heads
.
Weymouth married lawyer Richard Alan Scully on 25 July 1998. The couple had three children, Madeleine, Beckett, and Bridget, and later divorced.
, Oxford University, and Stanford Law School
.
, a prominent law firm in Washington, D.C., Weymouth went to work in the general counsel's office of the Post in 1996. She later became the head of advertising.
Weymouth was named the publisher of the family business and chief executive officer of Washington Post Media on 7 February 2008, succeeding Boisfeuillet Jones, Jr.
It is presumed that she will succeed her uncle Donald E. Graham
, currently the chairman of the Washington Post Company, when he decides to retire. According to the New York Times she is now the "palpable heir." Among her first actions as publisher was hiring Marcus Brauchli
as executive editor and placing him in charge of both newspaper and the website (the previous editor had not been in charge of the website).
website uncovered the story that Weymouth had planned a series of exclusive dinner parties or "salons" at her private residence, to which she had invited prominent lobbyists, trade group members, politicians and business people. The cost of attendance to the parties was up to $250,000 per individual, with the events being closed to the press and the public. Politico's revelation sparked controversy in Washington, as it gave the impression the parties' sole purpose was to allow a select group of Washington insiders and business people to purchase face time with Post reporters.
Almost immediately following the story Weymouth cancelled the salons and blamed the entire incident on the Post's marketing department. The backlash also prompted David G. Bradley
, publisher of The Atlantic, to admit that he hosts similar off-the-record discussions at his home and office at the Watergate.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
and chief executive officer of Washington Post Media.
Family
A granddaughter and namesake of long-time Washington Post chairwoman and publisher Katharine GrahamKatharine Graham
Katharine Meyer Graham was an American publisher. She led her family's newspaper, The Washington Post, for more than two decades, overseeing its most famous period, the Watergate coverage that eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon...
(d. 2001), Weymouth is a daughter of political columnist and publishing heiress Lally Weymouth
Lally Weymouth
Elizabeth Morris "Lally" Graham Weymouth is an American journalist who serves as Senior Associate Editor of the Washington Post...
and the architect Yann R. Weymouth. Her mother's family has owned the newspaper since 1933, when it was purchased by her grandfather Eugene Meyer
Eugene Meyer
Eugene Isaac Meyer was an American financier, public official, publisher of the Washington Post newspaper. He served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1930 to 1933. He was the father of publisher Katharine Graham.-Biography:Born in Los Angeles, California, he was one of eight children of...
.
She is a niece of Tina Weymouth
Tina Weymouth
Martina Michèle "Tina" Weymouth is an American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist of the New Wave group Talking Heads and its side project Tom Tom Club .-Profile:Weymouth is of French heritage on her mother's side. Weymouth was a cheerleader in high school...
, a former member of the band Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
.
Weymouth married lawyer Richard Alan Scully on 25 July 1998. The couple had three children, Madeleine, Beckett, and Bridget, and later divorced.
Education
Weymouth attended The Brearley School, Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
, Oxford University, and Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School is a graduate school at Stanford University located in the area known as the Silicon Valley, near Palo Alto, California in the United States. The Law School was established in 1893 when former President Benjamin Harrison joined the faculty as the first professor of law...
.
Career
While an associate at Williams & ConnollyWilliams & Connolly
Williams & Connolly LLP is a prominent litigation firm based in Washington, D.C. The firm was founded by trial lawyer Edward Bennett Williams, who left the partnership of D.C. firm Hogan & Hartson to launch his own litigation boutique....
, a prominent law firm in Washington, D.C., Weymouth went to work in the general counsel's office of the Post in 1996. She later became the head of advertising.
Weymouth was named the publisher of the family business and chief executive officer of Washington Post Media on 7 February 2008, succeeding Boisfeuillet Jones, Jr.
Boisfeuillet Jones, Jr.
Boisfeuillet Jones, Jr. is Vice Chairman of the Washington Post Company. From 2000 to 2008 he was publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post.-Early life:...
It is presumed that she will succeed her uncle Donald E. Graham
Donald E. Graham
Donald E. Graham is chief executive officer and Chairman of The Washington Post Company. He is also the director and chairman of Facebook Inc.- Early life :...
, currently the chairman of the Washington Post Company, when he decides to retire. According to the New York Times she is now the "palpable heir." Among her first actions as publisher was hiring Marcus Brauchli
Marcus Brauchli
Marcus W. Brauchli is executive editor of The Washington Post, overseeing the Post's print and digital news operations. He became editor on September 8, 2008, succeeding Leonard Downie, Jr.-Biography:...
as executive editor and placing him in charge of both newspaper and the website (the previous editor had not been in charge of the website).
Private dinner salon scandal
On July 3, 2009, The PoliticoThe Politico
The Politico is an American political journalism organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that distributes its content via television, the Internet, newspaper, and radio. Its coverage of Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the Presidency...
website uncovered the story that Weymouth had planned a series of exclusive dinner parties or "salons" at her private residence, to which she had invited prominent lobbyists, trade group members, politicians and business people. The cost of attendance to the parties was up to $250,000 per individual, with the events being closed to the press and the public. Politico's revelation sparked controversy in Washington, as it gave the impression the parties' sole purpose was to allow a select group of Washington insiders and business people to purchase face time with Post reporters.
Almost immediately following the story Weymouth cancelled the salons and blamed the entire incident on the Post's marketing department. The backlash also prompted David G. Bradley
David G. Bradley
David G. Bradley is the owner of the Atlantic Media Company, which publishes several prominent news magazines and services including The Atlantic Monthly, National Journal, The Hotline and Government Executive...
, publisher of The Atlantic, to admit that he hosts similar off-the-record discussions at his home and office at the Watergate.