Clifton Fadiman was a prominent American intellectual, author, and editor known for his broad literary knowledge and engaging public persona. He served as the influential editor-in-chief for the publisher Simon & Schuster and was a long-standing judge for the Book of the Month Club. Fadiman gained widespread fame as the witty and erudite host of the popular radio quiz show Information Please from 1938 to 1951. His work, including numerous essays and anthologies, played a significant role in shaping American literary tastes throughout the mid-20th century.