Jackson was born in
New York City. After graduation from
Princeton University in 1924, he entered the private sector. In 1931, Jackson took a position with
Time Inc. In 1940, he was President of the Council for Democracy. From 1942 to 1943, he served as special assistant to the Ambassador to Turkey. From 1943 to 1945, he served with the OWI. From 1944 to 1945 he was Deputy Chief at the
Psychological Warfare Division,
SHAEF. Jackson was a defender of
Radio Free Europe, stating, "Over the years, Radio Free Europe has never, in a single broadcast or leaflet, deviated from its essential policy, and did not broadcast a single program during the recent Polish and Hungarian developments which could be described as an 'incitement' program." He later served in a position at the
United Nations. From 1958 to 1960, he served as a speechwriter and White House manager after the departure of
Sherman Adams and the death of
John Foster Dulles. In 1960, he was publisher of
Life magazine. Jackson became acquainted with
Whittaker Chambers at Time Inc. He developed a harsh opinion of Chambers as a psychopath. During the first two years of the Eisenhower administration, Jackson urged strong action by the President in dealing with personalities like Senator
Joseph McCarthy and Chambers. In Jackson's opinion, they were damaging the anticommunist cause with self-serving and unstable behavior.
Sherman Adams, Chief of Staff urged a more moderate, political approach, which the President followed. After
Abraham Zapruder took the famous film in Dallas on November 22, 1963, Jackson purchased it on behalf of Time/Life to "protect the integrity of the film." Upon viewing it on Sunday morning, he ordered it locked in a vault at the Time/Life building in Manhattan. Jackson was
Time Inc.'s Senior Vice President before his death at age 62 on 18 September 1964. ==See also==