Clifton Fadiman was an American author, editor, literary critic, radio personality, and television presenter whose career spanned most of the twentieth century.

Born in Brooklyn on May 15, 1904, Fadiman was educated at Columbia University. He went on to work across a notably wide range of media and disciplines, taking on roles as a journalist, screenwriter, and editor alongside his better-known work in broadcasting and literary criticism. He wrote and edited in English throughout his career, and his output reflected a consistent engagement with books and ideas aimed at a broad public audience.

Fadiman built a presence in both radio and television, working as a personality and presenter in each medium. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a recognition that underscores how far his public profile extended beyond the printed page. Among his other honors, he received the National Book Award, adding a significant literary distinction to a career that had already crossed into popular entertainment. He died on June 20, 1999, in Florida, having lived to the age of ninety-five.

Throughout his life, Fadiman returned repeatedly to the work of bringing literature and criticism to general audiences, whether through broadcasting, editing, or his own writing. That intersection of popular media and serious literary engagement runs through his career as a whole and gives it a recognizable shape.