Russell Lynes (1910-1991) was an author, art critic, and art historian in New York City. He was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and graduated from Yale University in 1932. Lynes worked as director of publications at Vassar College from 1936-1937, and served as assistant head principal and then head principal at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, from 1938-1944. From 1944-1967 Lynes was an editor of Harper's Magazine. He authored many books and articles on art, architecture, and culture, and served on the boards of numerous organizations. Lynes was the brother of photographer George Platt Lynes.