Chris Hughes
Born 1983 · Age 42
American entrepreneur and author; co‑founder and early spokesman for Facebook, former publisher and editor‑in‑chief of The New Republic (2012–2016), co‑founder of the Economic Security Project, and author of Fair Shot (2018) and Marketcrafters (2025).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Hickory, North Carolina
Christopher Hughes was born in Hickory, North Carolina, the only child of Arlen 'Ray' Hughes and Brenda Hughes.
Attended Phillips Academy (Andover) on scholarship
Hughes attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts (prep school) prior to Harvard. Exact graduation year not stated in source; typical timeline places graduation around 2002.
Matriculated at Harvard University
Entered Harvard College (later earned BA in History & English Literature, magna cum laude).
Key product/UX input helped expand Facebook
Hughes argued for school-based networks and drove product changes that enabled Facebook's expansion beyond Harvard and later to the general public.
Co-founded Facebook (early Harvard project)
At Harvard Hughes met Mark Zuckerberg and joined the early Facebook team; served as spokesman and product/UX contributor as the site expanded across campuses.
Traveled to Palo Alto with Mark Zuckerberg
During the summer break of 2004 Hughes and Zuckerberg traveled to Palo Alto; Zuckerberg remained while Hughes returned to Harvard to finish studies.
Relocated to Palo Alto to rejoin Facebook
After graduating, Hughes moved to Palo Alto to rejoin the Facebook team and became more involved in the company again.
Graduated Harvard College, magna cum laude
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature, magna cum laude, from Harvard.
Left Facebook
Hughes departed his active role at Facebook in 2007 to pursue other projects and public initiatives.
Facebook surpasses 10 million users (company milestone)
Facebook’s rapid early growth pushed the user base into the multi‑millions by 2007 (often-cited ~10M milestone).
Volunteer / strategist for Barack Obama 2008 campaign
Hughes volunteered for Obama's 2008 campaign and helped manage social media strategy; associated with development/oversight of My.BarackObama.com.
My.BarackObama.com fundraising milestone (campaign result attributed)
Campaign's online fundraising and organizing effort — which Hughes helped develop — is credited with unprecedented small‑donation fundraising; sources attribute ~ $500M raised and ~2M small donations to digital efforts (campaign-wide).
Named Entrepreneur in Residence at General Catalyst
In March 2009 Hughes took a post as Entrepreneur in Residence at venture firm General Catalyst (Cambridge, MA).
Founded Jumo (nonprofit social network)
Hughes founded Jumo in 2010 and served as its executive director; Jumo aimed to connect people with charities and nonprofit causes.
Appointed to UNAIDS High Level Commission
UNAIDS appointed Hughes to a 17-member 'High Level Commission' to help galvanize support for HIV prevention programs.
Portrayed in feature film 'The Social Network'
A character based on Hughes appeared in the 2010 film The Social Network (actor Patrick Mapel portrayed him).
Engaged to Sean Eldridge (public announcement)
Hughes and Sean Eldridge announced their engagement in January 2011 at a Freedom to Marry reception.
Jumo reported acquisition by Good (publisher)
Sources report Jumo was acquired by the publisher Good in 2011 (coverage varies by source).
Named in 'Forty Under 40' (The Advocate)
Recognized in The Advocate's 'Forty Under 40' list in 2011.
Purchased majority stake in The New Republic
Hughes bought a majority stake in The New Republic and became its publisher and executive chairman (also took on editor-in-chief duties).
Facebook IPO — Hughes' proceeds reported
When Facebook went public in May 2012 Hughes reportedly realized approximately $500 million from the IPO/liquidity events.
Married Sean Eldridge
Hughes married Sean Eldridge on June 30, 2012.
Purchased $2M residence in NY's 19th congressional district (with Eldridge)
Hughes and Eldridge bought a $2 million property in New York's 19th congressional district reportedly to enable Eldridge's congressional run.
Sean Eldridge's congressional bid (lost)
Eldridge ran for Congress in 2014 (in the district where they purchased a home) and lost the race by approximately 29 percentage points.
Named Guy Vidra CEO of The New Republic; Hughes steps down as editor
Hughes named Guy Vidra the magazine's CEO and stepped down as editor; this decision preceded major staff upheaval.
Major staff departures and cancelled issue at The New Republic
In December 2014 dozens of staff and contributing editors resigned after editorial/management changes; a forthcoming issue was canceled due to the departures.
Co-founded the Economic Security Project (ESP)
Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project, an organization focused on economic security experiments and policy (including UBI trials).
Put The New Republic up for sale
Hughes announced on January 11, 2016 that he was putting The New Republic up for sale, citing underestimation of difficulty transitioning the magazine to a digital business.
Sold The New Republic to Win McCormack
Hughes sold The New Republic to Oregon publisher Win McCormack on February 26, 2016.
Published 'Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn'
Hughes published Fair Shot, a book exploring income inequality and ideas like guaranteed income and reforming economic institutions.
Published New York Times op‑ed calling to break up Facebook
Hughes wrote an op‑ed in the New York Times urging breakup of Facebook and arguing for regulation of its content/power.
Public criticism of Facebook's Libra (Diem) project
Hughes criticized Facebook's cryptocurrency Libra (later renamed Diem), warning it could shift power into the wrong hands if it succeeded modestly.
Reportedly in process of earning an MA in economics at The New School
In February 2020 it was reported Hughes was in the process of earning a Master of Arts in economics from The New School.
Began PhD in Business Ethics & Legal Studies at UPenn (reported)
Sources indicate Hughes has since begun a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in business ethics and legal studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Published 'Marketcrafters: The 100‑Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy'
Hughes published Marketcrafters in 2025, a historical account of efforts to shape U.S. economic policy and institutions.
Key Achievement Ages
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