Peter Jovanovich ’72

Peter, whose personal career and family name exerted a profound influence on American educational and academic publishing, died July 15, 2024, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He was 75.

Peter grew up in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., entering Princeton with the Class of 1971. An active member of Wilson College, he began studies in the Woodrow Wilson School before majoring in English.

After graduation, Peter started his career in the publishing industry with Macmillan Publishing. By 1988, he had become the president and CEO of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

In 1992, he moved to Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, a school publishing company he directed to become the largest educational publisher in the world. Seven years later, he joined Pearson and guided Pearson Education to become the world’s largest educational publisher, overseeing 20,000 employees.

Peter served as a director and chairman of the Association of American Publishers. He retired in 2004, and in 2007 he was elected to the Educational Publishing Hall of Fame.

In retirement, Peter was active in his community. He was elected to the Rye City Council and became deputy mayor. He also served on the board of the Rye Nature Center.

Peter is survived by his wife, Robin Thrush Jovanovich; sons Nick and Will and Will’s wife Sarah; and grandchildren Peter and Clara.