Judith Jones

Judith Jones at the Library of Congress 2007

Judith Jones
Born	Judith Bailey March 10, 1924 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	August 2, 2017 (aged 93) Walden, Vermont, U.S.
Occupation	Editor, writer
Spouse(s)	Evan Jones
Children	2

Judith Jones (née Bailey; March 10, 1924 – August 2, 2017) was an American editor and writer, best known for her work at Alfred A. Knopf, where she was a senior editor. She is credited with rescuing The Diary of Anne Frank from the rejection pile and championing the works of Julia Child, among other notable authors.

Early Life

Judith Bailey was born in New York City on March 10, 1924. She attended Bennington College in Vermont, where she developed a passion for literature and writing.

Career

Jones began her career in publishing at Doubleday before moving to Paris, where she worked for the Paris Review. It was during her time in Paris that she discovered The Diary of Anne Frank and recognized its potential impact. Upon returning to the United States, she joined Alfred A. Knopf, where she would spend the majority of her career.

At Knopf, Jones became a prominent figure in the culinary world, editing and publishing influential cookbooks. She is perhaps best known for her collaboration with Julia Child, helping to bring Mastering the Art of French Cooking to the American public. Jones also worked with other notable authors such as James Beard, Lidia Bastianich, and Marcella Hazan.

Personal Life

Judith Jones was married to Evan Jones, a writer, and the couple had two children. They lived in Walden, Vermont, where Jones continued to write and edit until her death on August 2, 2017.

Legacy

Jones's contributions to literature and culinary arts have left a lasting impact. Her keen editorial eye and dedication to quality helped shape the careers of many authors and brought important works to a wider audience.

Related Pages

• Julia Child
• The Diary of Anne Frank
• Alfred A. Knopf
• Mastering the Art of French Cooking
• James Beard
• Lidia Bastianich
• Marcella Hazan