A. E. Hotchner
A.E. Hotchner: A Life of Purpose and Activism
Full Name and Common Aliases
Augustus Edward Hirschfield, commonly known as A.E. Hotchner, was a renowned American author, editor, humanitarian, and entrepreneur.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 16, 1917, in St. Louis, Missouri, A.E. Hotchner passed away on October 15, 2021, at the age of 104.
Nationality and Profession(s)
A.E. Hotchner was an American citizen, with a multifaceted career spanning writing, editing, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian work.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, A.E. Hotchner's family instilled in him a strong sense of social responsibility from an early age. His father, Abraham Hirschfeld, was a Jewish immigrant who worked as a tailor, while his mother, Rose (née Felsenthal), managed the household. This upbringing influenced Hotchner's later humanitarian endeavors.
Major Accomplishments
A.E. Hotchner's life was marked by numerous achievements, including:
Co-founding Bartlett-Dietrich with fellow entrepreneur Louis Dietrich in 1955, a company that became a leading manufacturer of industrial chemicals and plastics.
Serving as the Editor-in-Chief at Playboy Magazine, where he played a crucial role in shaping its content during his tenure from 1966 to 1971.
Writing several bestselling books, including:
+ _Papa Hemingway_ (1966), a biography of Ernest Hemingway that earned him critical acclaim and praise from the author's friends and family.
+ _The White Shadow_ (1988), a novel that explores themes of identity, morality, and redemption.Notable Works or Actions
A.E. Hotchner was a prolific writer, editor, and humanitarian who made significant contributions to various fields:
As an advocate for social justice, he co-founded the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) in 1945, which aimed to promote global cooperation and peace.
He also served as a member of the U.S. President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, working closely with President John F. Kennedy and later with Lyndon B. Johnson.Impact and Legacy
Throughout his life, A.E. Hotchner left an indelible mark on society:
His work at _Playboy_ helped shape the magazine into a cultural force, influencing the way people think about sex, relationships, and entertainment.
As an author, he brought readers closer to iconic figures like Ernest Hemingway, offering unique insights into their lives and works.
Through his humanitarian efforts, Hotchner played a significant role in promoting global understanding and cooperation.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
A.E. Hotchner's remarkable life has made him a widely quoted and remembered figure for several reasons:
His unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights inspires individuals around the world.
As an accomplished author, editor, and entrepreneur, he broke new ground in various fields, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
* Through his writing and advocacy, Hotchner continues to educate and motivate future generations about the importance of compassion, empathy, and global understanding.
A.E. Hotchner's remarkable life serves as a testament to the power of purpose-driven individuals who strive for positive change in the world. His quotes continue to inspire and provoke thought, reminding us of the significance of living with intention and passion.
Quotes by A. E. Hotchner
Of course we all have our limits, but how can you possibly find your boundaries unless you explore as far and as wide as you possibly can? I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done.
From the time I read my first Hemingway work, The Sun Also Rises, as a student at Soldan High School in St. Louis, I was struck with an affliction common to my generation: Hemingway Awe.
![Back in the days when American billboard advertising was in flower [said Hemingway], there were two slogans that I always rated above all others: the old Cremo Cigar ad that proclaimed, Spit Is a Horrid Word-but Worse on the end of Your Cigar, and Drink Schlitz in Brown Bottles and Avoid that Skunk Taste. You don't get creative writing like that any more.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1587415.png&w=1536&q=100)
Back in the days when American billboard advertising was in flower [said Hemingway], there were two slogans that I always rated above all others: the old Cremo Cigar ad that proclaimed, Spit Is a Horrid Word-but Worse on the end of Your Cigar, and Drink Schlitz in Brown Bottles and Avoid that Skunk Taste. You don't get creative writing like that any more.
Ernest Hemingway was always uneasy in New York and liked being there less than in any other city he frequented.
![Each day was a challenge of enjoyment, and he [Hemingway] would plan it out as a field general plans a campign.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1587375.png&w=1536&q=100)
Each day was a challenge of enjoyment, and he [Hemingway] would plan it out as a field general plans a campign.
![There are bullfighters who do it just for the money-they are worthless [said Hemingway]. The only one who matters is the bullfighter who feels it, so that if he did it for nothing, he would do it just as well. Same holds true for damn near everyone.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1587351.png&w=1536&q=100)
There are bullfighters who do it just for the money-they are worthless [said Hemingway]. The only one who matters is the bullfighter who feels it, so that if he did it for nothing, he would do it just as well. Same holds true for damn near everyone.
![He [Hemingway] used a stand-up work place he had fashioned out of the top of of a bookcase near his bed. His portable typewriter was snugged in there and papers were spread along the top of the bookcase on either side of it. He used a reading board for longhand writing.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1587332.png&w=1536&q=100)
He [Hemingway] used a stand-up work place he had fashioned out of the top of of a bookcase near his bed. His portable typewriter was snugged in there and papers were spread along the top of the bookcase on either side of it. He used a reading board for longhand writing.
When I first wrote 'Papa Hemingway,' there were too many people still alive, and the lawyers for Random House didn't want to OK it. But now all that's been filtered away by the passage of all these people. And having the fortune of surviving, I now feel that I am the custodian of what Ernest wanted the world to know about him and these women.
We think of stars as celestial beings. And once in a while, they smile at us from the pages of 'People' magazine.
Why is it parents think they help their kids by pretending things are better than they are?