Henry Beard

American humorist

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July 22, 2026

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Henry Beard is an American humorist best known as a co-founder of the adult-oriented humor magazine National Lampoon in 1970. He, along with fellow Harvard graduates Robert Hoffman and Doug Kenney, established the magazine, which became influential in popular culture for its parodies and satirical content. Beard was instrumental in shaping the magazine's early direction, drawing from his experience with The Harvard Lampoon. The magazine later spawned successful films like National Lampoon's Animal House and National Lampoon's Vacation.12

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National Lampoon
Origin, success, and decline
…established by Harvard University graduates Henry Beard, Robert Hoffman, and Doug Kenney, all of whom had worked on The Harvard Lampoon, a college humor magazine established in 1876. During their tenure at The Harvard Lampoon, Beard, Hoffman, and Kenney were instrumental in publishing several nationally distributed magazine and book parodies,…
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…established by Harvard University graduates Henry Beard, Robert Hoffman, and Doug Kenney, all of whom had worked on The Harvard Lampoon, a college humor magazine established in 1876. During their tenure at The Harvard Lampoon, Beard, Hoffman, and Kenney were instrumental in publishing several nationally distributed magazine and book parodies,…
Read More