Russell Lynes

Russell Lynes (1910–1991) was an American writer, editor, and art critic. He was associated with *Harper’s Magazine*, where he worked as an editor and contributed essays noted for their wit and cultural observation. Lynes wrote widely on American taste, class, and the arts, often examining how social status and consumer culture shape public opinion. Among his best-known books are *The Tastemakers* and *The Lively Audience*, which explore the people and institutions that influence cultural fashion and artistic reception. He also published criticism and commentary on art and design, helping popularize serious discussion of culture for general readers.