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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Chris Hughes
| name = Chris Hughes
| image =
| image = Chris Hughes (cropped).jpg
| caption = Hughes in 2018
| caption = Hughes in 2009
| birth_name = Christopher Hughes
| birth_name = Christopher Hughes
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|11|26}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|11|26}}
| birth_place = [[Hickory, North Carolina]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Hickory, North Carolina]], U.S.
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
⚫
| other_names =
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Facebook]]
| known_for = Co-founder of [[Facebook]]
| education = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|AB]])<br />[[The New School]]
| education = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[The New School]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[University of Pennsylvania]]
| occupation = [[Entrepreneur]]
| occupation = [[Entrepreneur]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Sean Eldridge]]|June 30, 2012}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Sean Eldridge]]|June 30, 2012}}
⚫
| children = 1
}}
}}
'''Chris Hughes''' (born November 26, 1983) is an American [[entrepreneur]] and author who co-founded and served as spokesman for the online social directory and networking site [[Facebook]] until 2007. He was the publisher and editor-in-chief of ''[[The New Republic]]'' from 2012 to 2016.
'''Christopher Hughes''' (born November 26, 1983<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |title=The story of Chris Hughes, who made a fortune by helping Mark Zuckerberg create Facebook, but now thinks it should be broken up |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chris-hughes-facebook-cofounder-slammed-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-2019-5 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>) is an American [[entrepreneur]] and author who co-founded and served as spokesman for the online social directory and networking site [[Facebook]] until 2007. He was the publisher and editor-in-chief of ''[[The New Republic]]'' from 2012 to 2016.


Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project in 2016. In 2018, he published ''Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn''.
Hughes co-founded the [[Economic Security Project (ESP)]] in 2016. In 2018, he published ''Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn''.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Hughes grew up in [[Hickory, North Carolina]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/technology/07hughes.html|title=The Facebooker Who Friended Obama|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Stelter, Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> as the only child of Arlen "Ray" Hughes, an industrial paper salesman, and Brenda Hughes, a mathematics teacher.<ref name="Fast Company 2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/134/boy-wonder.html?page=0%2C1|title=How Chris Hughes Helped Launch Facebook and the Barack Obama Campaign|work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|author=McGirt, Ellen|date=April 1, 2009}}</ref> He was raised as an evangelical [[Lutheran]].<ref name="NYT Hughes/Eldrigde bio">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/fashion/chris-hughes-and-sean-eldridge-are-the-new-power-brokers.html?pagewanted=all|title=Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge Are the New Power Brokers|work=[[The New York Times]]|author= Holson, Laura M.|date= May 4, 2012}}</ref> He graduated from [[Phillips Academy]] in [[Andover, Massachusetts]], before earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature, ''magna cum laude'', from [[Harvard College]].<ref name="Fast Company 2009"/><ref name="Forbes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/07/02/facebook-co-founder-chris-hughes-marries-longtime-boyfriend/|title=Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes Marries Longtime Boyfriend|last=Solomon|first=Brian|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>
Hughes grew up in [[Hickory, North Carolina]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/technology/07hughes.html|title=The Facebooker Who Friended Obama|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Stelter, Brian|author-link=Brian Stelter|date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> as the only child of Arlen "Ray" Hughes, an industrial paper salesman, and Brenda Hughes, a mathematics teacher.<ref name="Fast Company 2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/134/boy-wonder.html?page=0%2C1|title=How Chris Hughes Helped Launch Facebook and the Barack Obama Campaign|work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|author=McGirt, Ellen|date=April 1, 2009}}</ref> He was raised as an evangelical [[Lutheran]].<ref name="NYT Hughes/Eldrigde bio">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/fashion/chris-hughes-and-sean-eldridge-are-the-new-power-brokers.html?pagewanted=all|title=Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge Are the New Power Brokers|work=[[The New York Times]]|author= Holson, Laura M.|date= May 4, 2012}}</ref> He graduated from [[Phillips Academy]] in [[Andover, Massachusetts]], before earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature, ''magna cum laude'', from [[Harvard College]].<ref name="Fast Company 2009"/><ref name="Forbes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2012/07/02/facebook-co-founder-chris-hughes-marries-longtime-boyfriend/|title=Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes Marries Longtime Boyfriend|last=Solomon|first=Brian|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>


In February 2020, it was reported that Hughes was in the process of earning his Master of Arts in Economics from [[The New School for Social Research]] in New York City.<ref name="Vox">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/1/15/20863236/chris-hughes-break-up-facebook-economic-security-basic-income-new-republic|title=Chris Hughes wants another chance|last=Matthews|first=Dylan|date=2020-01-15|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>
In February 2020, it was reported that Hughes was in the process of earning his Master of Arts in Economics from [[The New School]].<ref name="Vox">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/1/15/20863236/chris-hughes-break-up-facebook-economic-security-basic-income-new-republic|title=Chris Hughes wants another chance|last=Matthews|first=Dylan|date=2020-01-15|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> He has since begun a [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in business ethics and legal studies at the [[University of Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lgst.wharton.upenn.edu/profile/hughes83/ | title=Chris Hughes }}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==

===Facebook===
===Facebook===
Hughes is a co-founder of Facebook.<ref name="Vox" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2019/07/31/chris-hughes-and-facebook-what-are-a-founders-responsibilities/|title=Chris Hughes And Facebook: What Are A Founder's Responsibilities?|first=Enrique|last=Dans|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/17/facebook-co-founder-chris-hughes-zuckerberg-a-friend-but-too-powerful.html|title=Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes: I still consider Mark Zuckerberg a friend, but his 'power has grown too big'|first=Jessica|last=Bursztynsky|date=June 17, 2019|website=CNBC}}</ref> At Harvard, Hughes met and was recruited by [[Mark Zuckerberg]], who at the time was still working in the early stages of the website. During their summer break in 2004, Hughes and Zuckerberg traveled to [[Palo Alto, California]]. While Zuckerberg decided to remain in Palo Alto after the break, Hughes decided to return to Harvard to continue his studies.<ref name="Fast Company 2009" /> In 2006, after graduating from Harvard, Hughes relocated to Palo Alto to rejoin Zuckerberg and became involved in Facebook again.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Hughes is a co-founder of Facebook.<ref name="Vox" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2019/07/31/chris-hughes-and-facebook-what-are-a-founders-responsibilities/|title=Chris Hughes And Facebook: What Are A Founder's Responsibilities?|first=Enrique|last=Dans|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/17/facebook-co-founder-chris-hughes-zuckerberg-a-friend-but-too-powerful.html|title=Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes: I still consider Mark Zuckerberg a friend, but his 'power has grown too big'|first=Jessica|last=Bursztynsky|date=June 17, 2019|website=CNBC}}</ref> At Harvard, Hughes met and was recruited by [[Mark Zuckerberg]], who was still working in the early stages of the website. During their summer break in 2004, Hughes and Zuckerberg traveled to [[Palo Alto, California]]. While Zuckerberg decided to remain in Palo Alto after the break, Hughes returned to Harvard to continue his studies.<ref name="Fast Company 2009" /> In 2006, after graduating from Harvard, Hughes relocated to Palo Alto to rejoin Zuckerberg and became involved in Facebook again.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


Hughes was unofficially responsible for beta testing and product suggestions. When the group had the idea to open Facebook to other schools, Hughes argued that schools should have their own networks to maintain the intimacy feel. He was also a key driver in developing many of Facebook's popular features, which led to the opening of Facebook to the outside world.<ref name="Fast Company 2009" /> As a result, Hughes became the [[de facto]] Facebook spokesman.<ref name="Forbes" />
Hughes was unofficially responsible for beta testing and product suggestions. When the group had the idea to open Facebook to other schools, Hughes argued that schools should have their networks to maintain intimacy. He was also a key driver in developing many of Facebook's popular features, which led to the opening of Facebook to the outside world.<ref name="Fast Company 2009" />


In 2007, Hughes left Facebook.<ref name="Vox" /><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mnunez/2019/07/26/how-facebook-cofounder-chris-hughes-made-and-spent-his-fortune/|title=How Facebook Cofounder Chris Hughes Made (And Spent) His Fortune|first=Michael|last=Nuñez|website=Forbes}}</ref>
Hughes left Facebook in 2007.<ref name="Vox" /><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mnunez/2019/07/26/how-facebook-cofounder-chris-hughes-made-and-spent-his-fortune/|title=How Facebook Cofounder Chris Hughes Made (And Spent) His Fortune|first=Michael|last=Nuñez|website=Forbes}}</ref>


When Facebook's initial public offering took place in 2012, Hughes made $500 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40531004/chris-hughes-got-lucky-with-facebook-now-he-wants-everyone-to-have-a-shot|title=Chris Hughes Got Lucky With Facebook, Now He Wants Everyone To Have A Shot|first=Ben|last=Schiller|date=February 19, 2018|website=Fast Company}}</ref>
When Facebook's initial public offering took place in 2012, Hughes made $500 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/40531004/chris-hughes-got-lucky-with-facebook-now-he-wants-everyone-to-have-a-shot|title=Chris Hughes Got Lucky With Facebook, Now He Wants Everyone To Have A Shot|first=Ben|last=Schiller|date=February 19, 2018|website=Fast Company}}</ref>


=== After Facebook ===
=== After Facebook ===
In March 2009, Hughes was named [[Entrepreneur in residence|Entrepreneur in Residence]] at General Catalyst, a [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], [[venture capital|venture-capital]] firm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/03/17/after-facebook-and-the-obama-campaign-chris-hughes-takes-a-post-at-general-catalyst|title= After Facebook And The Obama Campaign, Chris Hughes Takes a Post At General Catalyst|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|author=Schonfeld, Erick|date=March 17, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2009}}</ref>
In March 2009, Hughes was named [[Entrepreneur in residence|Entrepreneur in Residence]] at [[General Catalyst]], a [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], [[venture capital|venture-capital]] firm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/03/17/after-facebook-and-the-obama-campaign-chris-hughes-takes-a-post-at-general-catalyst|title= After Facebook And The Obama Campaign, Chris Hughes Takes a Post At General Catalyst|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|author=Schonfeld, Erick|date=March 17, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2009}}</ref>


[[File:Chris Hughes at TechCrunch Disrupt in 2010.jpg|thumb|Hughes at [[TechCrunch Disrupt]] in 2010]]
Hughes was the executive director of [[Jumo]], a non-profit social network organization which he founded in 2010, which "aims to help people find ways to help the world".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1587959/facebook-chris-hughes-jumocom|title=Facebook Chris Hughes's Jumo.com|work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|author=McGirt, Ellen|date=March 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/technology/30jumo.html|title= A Facebook Founder Begins a Social Network Focused on Charities|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Wortham, Jenna|date=November 30, 2010}}</ref> In July 2010, [[UNAIDS]] (Joint United Nations Programme on [[HIV/AIDS]]) appointed him to a 17-member "High Level Commission" of renowned politicians, business leaders, human rights activists, and scientists tasked with spearheading a "social and political action campaign over the coming year aimed at galvanizing support for effective HIV prevention programmes."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unaidstoday.org/?p=408|title=Top world personalities join UNAIDS' High Level Commission to bring about a prevention revolution|publisher=[[UNAIDS]] TODAY|date=July 21, 2010}}</ref>
Hughes was the executive director of [[Jumo]], a non-profit social network organization he founded in 2010, which "aims to help people find ways to help the world".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1587959/facebook-chris-hughes-jumocom|title=Facebook Chris Hughes's Jumo.com|work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|author=McGirt, Ellen|date=March 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/technology/30jumo.html|title= A Facebook Founder Begins a Social Network Focused on Charities|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Wortham, Jenna|date=November 30, 2010}}</ref> In July 2010, [[UNAIDS]] (Joint United Nations Programme on [[HIV/AIDS]]) appointed him to a 17-member "High Level Commission" of renowned politicians, business leaders, human rights activists, and scientists tasked with spearheading a "social and political action campaign over the coming year aimed at galvanizing support for effective HIV prevention programmes."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unaidstoday.org/?p=408|title=Top world personalities join UNAIDS' High Level Commission to bring about a prevention revolution|publisher=[[UNAIDS]] TODAY|date=July 21, 2010}}</ref>


=== ''The New Republic'' ===
=== ''The New Republic'' ===
In March 2012, Hughes purchased a majority stake in ''[[The New Republic]]'' magazine. He became the publisher and executive chairman, and also served as editor-in-chief of the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/new-republic-gets-an-owner-steeped-in-new-media/?smid=tw-mediadecoder&seid=auto|title=New Republic Gets an Owner Steeped in New Media|work=The New York Times|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> In December 2014, shortly after the magazine's centennial celebration, editor [[Franklin Foer]] and literary editor [[Leon Wieseltier]] were "driven out" and dozens of other staff and contributing editors resigned after a new chief executive, [[Guy Vidra]], a former [[Yahoo!]] employee, described the new direction of the magazine as a "vertically integrated digital media company."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title = Revolt at the New New Republic|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/business/media/revolt-at-the-new-new-republic-.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2014-12-07|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first1 = Jonathan|last1 = Mahler|first2 = Ravi|last2 = Somaiya}}</ref> The magazine was forced to cancel its upcoming issue due to the staff departures.<ref name=":0" />
In March 2012, Hughes purchased a majority stake in ''[[The New Republic]]'' magazine. He became the publisher and executive chairman and also served as editor-in-chief of the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/new-republic-gets-an-owner-steeped-in-new-media/?smid=tw-mediadecoder&seid=auto|title=New Republic Gets an Owner Steeped in New Media|work=The New York Times|date=March 9, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref> In December 2014, shortly after the magazine's centennial celebration, editor [[Franklin Foer]] and literary editor [[Leon Wieseltier]] were "driven out," and dozens of other staff and contributing editors resigned after a new chief executive, [[Guy Vidra]], a former [[Yahoo!]] employee, described the new direction of the magazine as a "vertically integrated digital media company."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title = Revolt at the New New Republic|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/08/business/media/revolt-at-the-new-new-republic-.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2014-12-07|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first1 = Jonathan|last1 = Mahler|first2 = Ravi|last2 = Somaiya}}</ref> The magazine was forced to cancel its upcoming issue due to the staff departures.<ref name=":0" />


The magazine was not profitable during Hughes' tenure.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title = The New Republic Is for Sale Again|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/media/chris-hughes-selling-the-new-republic.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2016-01-11|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first = Ravi|last = Somaiya}}</ref> On January 11, 2016, Hughes put ''The New Republic'' up for sale, saying he had "underestimated the difficulty of transitioning an old and traditional institution into a digital media company in today's quickly evolving climate."<ref name=":1" /> Hughes' ownership of ''The New Republic'' was described by ''[[The New York Times]]'' as a "vanity project."<ref>{{Cite news|title = When Restless Billionaires Trip on Their Toys|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/dealbook/billionaires-who-trip-on-their-toys.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2016-01-11|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first = Andrew Ross|last = Sorkin}}</ref> He sold the magazine on February 26, 2016 to Oregon publisher [[Win McCormack]].<ref>{{Cite web
The magazine was not profitable during Hughes' tenure.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title = The New Republic Is for Sale Again|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/media/chris-hughes-selling-the-new-republic.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2016-01-11|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first = Ravi|last = Somaiya}}</ref> On January 11, 2016, Hughes put ''The New Republic'' up for sale, saying he had "underestimated the difficulty of transitioning an old and traditional institution into a digital media company in today's quickly evolving climate."<ref name=":1" /> Hughes' ownership of ''The New Republic'' was described by ''[[The New York Times]]'' as a "vanity project."<ref>{{Cite news|title = When Restless Billionaires Trip on Their Toys|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/12/business/dealbook/billionaires-who-trip-on-their-toys.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2016-01-11|access-date = 2016-01-12|issn = 0362-4331|first = Andrew Ross|last = Sorkin}}</ref> He sold the magazine on February 26, 2016, to Oregon publisher [[Win McCormack]].<ref>{{Cite web
| url = https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/26/media/new-republic-chris-hughes-win-mccormack/index.html| title = The New Republic Is Sold by Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes| last = Byers| first = Dylan|work = CNNMoney| date = February 26, 2016| access-date = 2016-02-27}}</ref>
| url = https://money.cnn.com/2016/02/26/media/new-republic-chris-hughes-win-mccormack/index.html| title = The New Republic Is Sold by Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes| last = Byers| first = Dylan|work = CNNMoney| date = February 26, 2016| access-date = 2016-02-27}}</ref>


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Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project in 2016.<ref name="Vox" /> In 2018, he published ''Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Book review|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/chris-hughes/fair-shot/|publisher=Kirkus Reviews|access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project in 2016.<ref name="Vox" /> In 2018, he published ''Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Book review|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/chris-hughes/fair-shot/|publisher=Kirkus Reviews|access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>


In May 2019, he published an [[op-ed]] in the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'', calling for the break-up of Facebook and for government regulation of content on it;<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Times Op-Ed It's Time to Break Up Facebook|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/sunday/chris-hughes-facebook-zuckerberg.html/|work=New York Times|last=Hughes|first=Chris|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> in June of the same year, he criticized the Facebook decision to launch [[Libra (cryptocurrency)|Libra]], saying that the cryptocurrency "would shift power into the wrong hands if, at least, the coin be modestly successful".<ref>{{cite web|date=June 21, 2019|title=Facebook co-founder: Libra coin would shift power into the wrong hands|url=https://www.ft.com/content/aa97ad20-91a0-11e9-8ff4-699df1c62544|publisher=The Financial Times|access-date=June 22, 2019}}</ref>
In May 2019, he published an [[op-ed]] in the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'', calling for the break-up of Facebook and government regulation of content on it;<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Times Op-Ed It's Time to Break Up Facebook|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/opinion/sunday/chris-hughes-facebook-zuckerberg.html/|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Hughes|first=Chris|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> in June of the same year, he criticized the Facebook decision to launch [[Libra (cryptocurrency)|Libra]] (which was later renamed [[Diem (digital currency)|Diem]]), saying that the cryptocurrency "would shift power into the wrong hands if, at least, the coin be modestly successful".<ref>{{cite web|date=June 21, 2019|title=Facebook co-founder: Libra coin would shift power into the wrong hands|url=https://www.ft.com/content/aa97ad20-91a0-11e9-8ff4-699df1c62544|publisher=The Financial Times|access-date=June 22, 2019}}</ref>


==Political involvement==
==Political involvement==
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Hughes is openly gay and is married to [[Sean Eldridge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/article.aspx?id=102977|title=A Place at the State Dinner Table|date=November 24, 2009|work= [[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]}}</ref> Hughes and Eldridge announced their engagement in January 2011 at a reception in support of Freedom to Marry. They married on June 30, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Cover_Stories/Chris_Hughes_and_Sean_Eldridge |title=Forty Under 40 |date=May 2011 |work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423130511/http://www.advocate.com/printArticle.aspx?id=194775 |archive-date=2011-04-13 }}</ref><ref name="Forbes" />
Hughes is gay and is married to [[Sean Eldridge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/article.aspx?id=102977|title=A Place at the State Dinner Table|date=November 24, 2009|work= [[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]}}</ref> Hughes and Eldridge announced their engagement in January 2011 at a reception supporting Freedom to Marry. They married on June 30, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Cover_Stories/Chris_Hughes_and_Sean_Eldridge |title=Forty Under 40 |date=May 2011 |work=[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423130511/http://www.advocate.com/printArticle.aspx?id=194775 |archive-date=2011-04-23 }}</ref><ref name="Forbes" />


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==


Hughes was portrayed by actor Patrick Mapel in the 2010 film ''[[The Social Network]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sparks |first1=Hannah |title=How Chris Hughes and Facebook co-founders were cast in 'Social Network' |url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/09/how-chris-hughes-and-facebook-co-founders-were-portrayed-in-social-network/ |work=New York Post |date=May 9, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Hughes was portrayed by actor [[Patrick Mapel]] in the 2010 film ''[[The Social Network]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sparks |first1=Hannah |title=How Chris Hughes and Facebook co-founders were cast in 'Social Network' |url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/09/how-chris-hughes-and-facebook-co-founders-were-portrayed-in-social-network/ |work=New York Post |date=May 9, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>{{unreliable source|date=October 2024}}


==References==
==References==
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== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
* {{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2004/sb20040721_8133.htm |work=[[BusinessWeek]]|title=A Hot New Twist on the Old College Try|author=DeWitt, Katie|date=July 21, 2004}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2004/sb20040721_8133.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040725063401/http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2004/sb20040721_8133.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2004 |work=[[BusinessWeek]]|title=A Hot New Twist on the Old College Try|author=DeWitt, Katie|date=July 21, 2004}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB118011947223614895-iSeQ_DC8SbZxiNLhtHwJyIftJN0_20070625.html|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|title=BO, U R So Gr8&nbsp;— How a Young Tech Entrepreneur Translated Barack Obama into the Idiom of Facebook|author=Schatz, Amy|date=May 26, 2007|access-date=January 18, 2011}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB118011947223614895-iSeQ_DC8SbZxiNLhtHwJyIftJN0_20070625.html|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|title=BO, U R So Gr8&nbsp;— How a Young Tech Entrepreneur Translated Barack Obama into the Idiom of Facebook|author=Schatz, Amy|date=May 26, 2007|access-date=January 18, 2011}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun_obama_websep23,0,4824579.story|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|title=Social Sites Go Political&nbsp;— A Facebook Founder Helps Design Obama's Online Network, and Other Candidates Are Doing What They Can To Add 'Friends'|date=September 23, 2007|access-date=January 18, 2011|author=Benderoff, Eric}} and [https://web.archive.org/web/20081110113840/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-090723obama-photogallery,0,3772716.photogallery photo gallery]
* {{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sun_obama_websep23,0,4824579.story|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|title=Social Sites Go Political&nbsp;— A Facebook Founder Helps Design Obama's Online Network, and Other Candidates Are Doing What They Can To Add 'Friends'|date=September 23, 2007|access-date=January 18, 2011|author=Benderoff, Eric}} and [https://web.archive.org/web/20081110113840/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-090723obama-photogallery,0,3772716.photogallery photo gallery]
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Latest revision as of 02:28, 19 October 2024

For other people named Chris Hughes, see Chris Hughes (disambiguation).

Chris Hughes
Hughes in 2009
Born
Christopher Hughes

(1983-11-26) November 26, 1983 (age 41)
Hickory, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (BA)
The New School (MA)
University of Pennsylvania
OccupationEntrepreneur
Known forCo-founder of Facebook
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
(m. 2012)​
Children1

Christopher Hughes (born November 26, 1983[1]) is an American entrepreneur and author who co-founded and served as spokesman for the online social directory and networking site Facebook until 2007. He was the publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic from 2012 to 2016.

Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project (ESP) in 2016. In 2018, he published Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn.

Early life and education

[edit]

Hughes grew up in Hickory, North Carolina,[2] as the only child of Arlen "Ray" Hughes, an industrial paper salesman, and Brenda Hughes, a mathematics teacher.[3] He was raised as an evangelical Lutheran.[4] He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, before earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature, magna cum laude, from Harvard College.[3][5]

In February 2020, it was reported that Hughes was in the process of earning his Master of Arts in Economics from The New School.[6] He has since begun a Doctor of Philosophy in business ethics and legal studies at the University of Pennsylvania.[7]

Career

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Facebook

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Hughes is a co-founder of Facebook.[6][8][9] At Harvard, Hughes met and was recruited by Mark Zuckerberg, who was still working in the early stages of the website. During their summer break in 2004, Hughes and Zuckerberg traveled to Palo Alto, California. While Zuckerberg decided to remain in Palo Alto after the break, Hughes returned to Harvard to continue his studies.[3] In 2006, after graduating from Harvard, Hughes relocated to Palo Alto to rejoin Zuckerberg and became involved in Facebook again.[citation needed]

Hughes was unofficially responsible for beta testing and product suggestions. When the group had the idea to open Facebook to other schools, Hughes argued that schools should have their networks to maintain intimacy. He was also a key driver in developing many of Facebook's popular features, which led to the opening of Facebook to the outside world.[3]

Hughes left Facebook in 2007.[6][10]

When Facebook's initial public offering took place in 2012, Hughes made $500 million.[11]

After Facebook

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In March 2009, Hughes was named Entrepreneur in Residence at General Catalyst, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, venture-capital firm.[12]

Hughes at TechCrunch Disrupt in 2010

Hughes was the executive director of Jumo, a non-profit social network organization he founded in 2010, which "aims to help people find ways to help the world".[13][14] In July 2010, UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) appointed him to a 17-member "High Level Commission" of renowned politicians, business leaders, human rights activists, and scientists tasked with spearheading a "social and political action campaign over the coming year aimed at galvanizing support for effective HIV prevention programmes."[15]

The New Republic

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In March 2012, Hughes purchased a majority stake in The New Republic magazine. He became the publisher and executive chairman and also served as editor-in-chief of the magazine.[16] In December 2014, shortly after the magazine's centennial celebration, editor Franklin Foer and literary editor Leon Wieseltier were "driven out," and dozens of other staff and contributing editors resigned after a new chief executive, Guy Vidra, a former Yahoo! employee, described the new direction of the magazine as a "vertically integrated digital media company."[17] The magazine was forced to cancel its upcoming issue due to the staff departures.[17]

The magazine was not profitable during Hughes' tenure.[18] On January 11, 2016, Hughes put The New Republic up for sale, saying he had "underestimated the difficulty of transitioning an old and traditional institution into a digital media company in today's quickly evolving climate."[18] Hughes' ownership of The New Republic was described by The New York Times as a "vanity project."[19] He sold the magazine on February 26, 2016, to Oregon publisher Win McCormack.[20]

Other activities

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Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project in 2016.[6] In 2018, he published Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn.[21]

In May 2019, he published an op-ed in the New York Times, calling for the break-up of Facebook and government regulation of content on it;[22] in June of the same year, he criticized the Facebook decision to launch Libra (which was later renamed Diem), saying that the cryptocurrency "would shift power into the wrong hands if, at least, the coin be modestly successful".[23]

Political involvement

[edit]

After leaving Facebook, Hughes volunteered for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.[6][10]

Hughes and Sean Eldridge bought a $2 million residence in New York's 19th congressional district with the reported purpose of permitting Eldridge to run for the congressional seat there.[24] In 2014, Eldridge lost his congressional bid by 29 points.[25]

Hughes endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the run-up for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[26]

Personal life

[edit]

Hughes is gay and is married to Sean Eldridge.[27] Hughes and Eldridge announced their engagement in January 2011 at a reception supporting Freedom to Marry. They married on June 30, 2012.[28][5]

[edit]

Hughes was portrayed by actor Patrick Mapel in the 2010 film The Social Network.[29][unreliable source?]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Leskin, Paige. "The story of Chris Hughes, who made a fortune by helping Mark Zuckerberg create Facebook, but now thinks it should be broken up". Business Insider. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Stelter, Brian (July 7, 2008). "The Facebooker Who Friended Obama". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c d McGirt, Ellen (April 1, 2009). "How Chris Hughes Helped Launch Facebook and the Barack Obama Campaign". Fast Company.
  4. ^ Holson, Laura M. (May 4, 2012). "Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge Are the New Power Brokers". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b Solomon, Brian. "Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes Marries Longtime Boyfriend". Forbes. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e Matthews, Dylan (January 15, 2020). "Chris Hughes wants another chance". Vox. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "Chris Hughes".
  8. ^ Dans, Enrique. "Chris Hughes And Facebook: What Are A Founder's Responsibilities?". Forbes.
  9. ^ Bursztynsky, Jessica (June 17, 2019). "Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes: I still consider Mark Zuckerberg a friend, but his 'power has grown too big'". CNBC.
  10. ^ a b Nuñez, Michael. "How Facebook Cofounder Chris Hughes Made (And Spent) His Fortune". Forbes.
  11. ^ Schiller, Ben (February 19, 2018). "Chris Hughes Got Lucky With Facebook, Now He Wants Everyone To Have A Shot". Fast Company.
  12. ^ Schonfeld, Erick (March 17, 2009). "After Facebook And The Obama Campaign, Chris Hughes Takes a Post At General Catalyst". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  13. ^ McGirt, Ellen (March 18, 2010). "Facebook Chris Hughes's Jumo.com". Fast Company.
  14. ^ Wortham, Jenna (November 30, 2010). "A Facebook Founder Begins a Social Network Focused on Charities". The New York Times.
  15. ^ "Top world personalities join UNAIDS' High Level Commission to bring about a prevention revolution". UNAIDS TODAY. July 21, 2010.
  16. ^ "New Republic Gets an Owner Steeped in New Media". The New York Times. March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  17. ^ a b Mahler, Jonathan; Somaiya, Ravi (December 7, 2014). "Revolt at the New New Republic". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ^ a b Somaiya, Ravi (January 11, 2016). "The New Republic Is for Sale Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  19. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross (January 11, 2016). "When Restless Billionaires Trip on Their Toys". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  20. ^ Byers, Dylan (February 26, 2016). "The New Republic Is Sold by Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes". CNNMoney. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  21. ^ "Book review". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  22. ^ Hughes, Chris (May 9, 2019). "New York Times Op-Ed It's Time to Break Up Facebook". The New York Times. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  23. ^ "Facebook co-founder: Libra coin would shift power into the wrong hands". The Financial Times. June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  24. ^ "Young, Rich and Relocating Yet Again in Hunt for Political Office". The New York Times. July 11, 2013.
  25. ^ Kirchick, James (December 8, 2014). "The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America's Worst Gay Power Couple". The Daily Beast. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  26. ^ James, Brendan (February 10, 2016). "Media Bigwigs Donate To Hillary Clinton; Writers Donate To Bernie Sanders". International Business Times.
  27. ^ "A Place at the State Dinner Table". The Advocate. November 24, 2009.
  28. ^ "Forty Under 40". The Advocate. May 2011. Archived from the original on April 23, 2011.
  29. ^ Sparks, Hannah (May 9, 2019). "How Chris Hughes and Facebook co-founders were cast in 'Social Network'". New York Post.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chris Hughes.
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