who created forbes

Forbes magazine was founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. Bertie Charles Forbes, a Scottish-born financial journalist, launched it alongside partner Walter Drey to spotlight business leaders and their ventures.

Founding Story

B. C. Forbes, born in 1880 in Scotland, honed his skills as a columnist for Hearst papers and the Journal of Commerce before immigrating to the U.S. On September 15, 1917, he and Drey—general manager of the Magazine of Wall Street—created Forbes: Devoted to Doers and Doings in New York. Forbes funded it and lent his name, while Drey handled publishing know-how, blending sharp analysis with human-interest tales of "doers."

This gritty origin reflected Forbes' philosophy: business thrives on people, not just numbers. Early issues mixed predictions, stockholder advocacy, and "Fact and Comment" editorials—acerbic takes that set a bold tone amid World War I's economic flux.

Family Legacy and Growth

After B. C. Forbes' death in 1954, sons Bruce and Malcolm steered the ship, doubling circulation post-WWII through marketing savvy and investigative edge. Malcolm's flair for controversy boosted its voice, while Steve Forbes took reins in 1990, running for president twice.

Ownership shifted in 2014 to Hong Kong's Integrated Whale Media Investments, yet Steve remains chairman. Today, headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, Sherry Phillips is CEO since January 2025, with lists like billionaires defining its brand.

Era| Key Leader(s)| Milestones
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1917 Founding| B. C. Forbes & Walter Drey| Launched as niche business mag; focused on "doers." 1
1954-1990| Bruce & Malcolm Forbes| Circulation boom; investigative reporting rises. 3
1990-Present| Steve Forbes & family| Global lists; 2014 ownership change; digital pivot. 5

Evolution and Influence

Forbes pioneered "pay-to-play" critiques via BrandVoice but endures for rankings and events. It navigated depressions, wars, and digital shifts, inspiring outlets like Fortune. As of 2026, it thrives on tailored content amid media flux.

"Business was originated to produce happiness, not to pile up millions." – B. C. Forbes' motto still echoes.

From a 15-cent startup to billionaire tracker, Forbes' tale shows visionaries reshape industries—one story at a time. TL;DR: B. C. Forbes created Forbes in 1917 with Walter Drey; family-led for decades, now globally influential.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.