Washington Monthly founder Charles Peters died at the age of 96 on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. He was a long time journalist and political pundit who helped shape the country’s political discourse for more than five decades.
Peters was born in shopping district in Washington D.C. on November 24, 1922. He went on to found the Washington Monthly magazine in 1969 and was its editor until the late 1990s. He was known for his candid and accurate writing on the inner workings of politics and policy in the United States. He was also an advocate for progressive policies and an unwavering support of democratic ideas.
Peters was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and wrote much-read books on the subject, including “The Doomsday Machine: The H-Bomb Decision-Making” and “A New Planet.”
In addition to his magazine, Peters ran a fellowship program in his name at the University of Virginia from 1980 to 1988, which trained hundreds of young journalists for the nation’s newsrooms.
After retiring from the magazine, Peters focused his energy on charitable causes. He served as the president of the non-profit organization “Common Cause” from 1998-2002 and was a major donor to several other progressive organizations.
Peters will be remembered for his commitment to progressive ideas and his tireless work towards the betterment of society. His impact on politics and journalism in the United States will continue to be felt for years to come.
