Stefan Lorant

Stefan Lorant's work as a visual and literary editor allowed him to pioneer and develop the genre of picture-based journalism at a period that saw the emergence of modern mass communications. Lorant became a guiding force on an international scale, disseminating his ideas and political knowledge throughout Europe in the late-twenties and thirties by working in Hungary, Germany, and England. His innovative layouts, his "exclusive" interviews and his thirst for knowledge became a familiar part of millions of everyday lives, largely through the pages of his own creations and in particular the legendaryPicture Post. His vision of photography as a documentary medium inspiredLife andLook magazines and paved the way for the eventual emergence of the television documentary. For this he has become recognized as "the godfather" of photojournalism. Michael Hallett first interviewed Stefan Lorant in late 1990 and spent the following years researching and interviewing his subject. Hallett examines Lorant's public image, his huge ego, his manipulative nature, and his devious love of subterfuge and confusion. This biography also reveals Lorant's warmth, generosity, callousness, passions, and humanity, while focusing on the emergence of modern mass communications throughout Europe and the United States in the 20th century. Additionally, Lorant's place in the development and progress of picture magazines and the editorial process is highlighted.

Hungarian-born Stefan Lorant's work as a visual and literary editor allowed him to pioneer and develop the genré of picture-based journalism at a period that saw the emergence of modern mass communications. Lorant became a guiding force on an international scale, disseminating his ideas and political knowledge throughout Europe in the late-twenties and thirties by working in Hungary, Germany, and England. His innovative layouts, his "exclusive" interviews and his thirst for knowledge became a familiar part of millions of everyday lives, largely through the pages of his own creations and in particular the legendaryPicture Post. Eventually his sphere of influence spread to America where he introduced the concept of the pictorial biography. His vision of photography as a documentary medium inspiredLife andLook magazines and paved the way for the eventual emergence of the television documentary. For this he has become recognized as "the godfather" of photojournalism.

Lorant's work enlightened the world - yet his own world was shrouded with darkness. His secret past, hidden throughout his lifetime, reveals the changing attitude of sexual politics as it evolved throughout the century. His serial womanizing and scandalous love affairs provide insight into the unhappy alliance between his sexual fulfillment and intellectual frustration, his searching in others for what he could not find within himself.

Michael Hallett first interviewed Stefan Lorant in late 1990 and spent the following years researching and interviewing his subject. Hallett examines Lorant's public image, his huge ego, his manipulative nature, and his devious love of subterfuge and confusion. Hallett also reveals Lorant's warmth, his generosity, his callousness, his passions and his extraordinary humanity. This biography encompasses the 20th century, while focusing on the emergence of modern mass communications throughout Europe and the United States. Additionally there is a small but key section that highlights Lorant's pl

Part 1 Prologue
Part 2 Part One: Hungary and Czechoslovakia
Chapter 3 1. The Formative Years, 1901-1920
Part 4 Part Two: Austria, Germany, and Back to Hungary
Chapter 5 2. From Film Stills to Film Director, 1920-1924
Chapter 6 3. Pictures on the Page, 1925-1934
Part 7 Part Three: England
Chapter 8 4. The Arrival, 1934
Chapter 9 5. The Between Years, 1935-1937
Chapter 10 6.Chamberlain and the Beautiful Llama, 1937-1940
Chapter 11 7. A Symphony of Photographs, 1938-1940
Chapter 12 8. Trouble with the Authorities, 1939-1940
Chapter 13 9. The Aftermath ofPicture Post, 1940-1982
Part 14 Part Four: The United States
Chapter 15 10. Adopted by the New World, 1940-1959
Chapter 16 11. The Mirror Cracks, 1936-1948
Chapter 17 12. Yet Another Beginning, 1959-1978
Chapter 18 13. Of People and Power, 1954-1997
Chapter 19 14. The Phone Doesn't Ring, 1979-1989
Chapter 20 15. Polishing His Reputation, 1990-1997
Part 21 Epilogue
Part 22 Resources
Part 23 Index
Part 24 About the Author