Background
Bernstein, Robert Louis was born on January 5, 1923 in New York City. Son of Alfred and Sylvia (Bloch) Bernstein.
Bernstein, Robert Louis was born on January 5, 1923 in New York City. Son of Alfred and Sylvia (Bloch) Bernstein.
Graduate, Lincoln School, New York City, 1940. Bachelor of Science, Harvard University, 1944. Doctor of Laws, New School for Social Research, 1991.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Swarthmore College, 1997.
General sales manager, Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York City, 1946-1957; sales manager, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1957-1962; 1st vice president, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1962-1966; president, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1966-1967; chief Executive officer, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1967-1989; chairman, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1975; chairman, president, Chief Executive Officer, Random House, Inc., New York City, 1975-1989; public-at-large, John Wiley & Sons, New York City, 1991-1998. Board of directors American Book Publications.
Board directors Doctor Seuss Foundation, Aaron Diamond Foundation. Chairman Human Rights Watch, since 1975, founding chairman, 1990. Member Human Rights Watch/Africa, Human Rights Watch/Americans, Human Rights Watch/Asia, Human Rights Watch/Middle East.
Founding chairman Human Rights Watch/Helsinki, 1992. Advisory committee Carter-Meril Human Rights Foundation. Member advisory board Robert F. Kennedy Foundation Human Rights Award.
With United States Army Air Force, 1943-1946. Member Association American Publications (chairman 1972-1973, chairman committee Soviet-American public relations 1973, committee on international freedom to public 1973-1976, The Curtis G. Benjamin award for Creative public 1996), Council on Foreign Relations, Asia Society Clubs: Century Association (New York City), University (New York City). Century Country (White Plains, New York ).
Married Helen Walter, November 23, 1950. Children: Peter Walter, Tom Alfred, William Samuel.