The Tea Table
By Sara Lippincott [10.30.23] [Editor’s Note:] SARA LIPPINCOTT (1938-2023) was an editor specializing in nonfiction who edited some eighty books about science for the general public including bestsellers such as Bill Bradley’s Time Present, Time Past , Timothy Ferris’s The Whole Shebang , Lee Smolin’s The Trouble with Physics , and John McPhee’s Pulitzer prize-winning Annals of the Former World . A longtime nonfiction editor at The New Yorker , she moved to Los Angeles in 1993, where she taught writing for ten years at Caltech and later became an editor at the now-defunct Los Angeles Times Book Review. From 1996, she edited the sixteen books in the Edge Annual Question series, and the twenty-two books in the Science Masters I and Science Masters II series. Several days ago, Sara called to give me the sad news that she was very ill and the end was near. She also had a request: "I have something I’ve written that I would like you to publish on Edge ." Yesterday, on Sunday, October 29, 2023, Sara died peacefully. Thus, it is with great sadness, but also with a deep sense of love and appreciation, that I share with you Sara’s piece, "The Tea Table." ~~ The Tea Table By Sara Lippincott I got out of Wellesley in 1959, shortly after Lolita got out of Paris. Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. (Na- bwak -awf: a trip down the stairs with a loud bump and a glorious sprawl at the bottom.) I fell in love with
Sara Lippincott, a renowned editor specializing in nonfiction, passed away on October 29, 2023, at the age of 85. Known for her work on over eighty science books, including bestsellers like Bill Bradley’s "Time Present, Time Past," Timothy Ferris’s "The Whole Shebang," and John McPhee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning "Annals of the Former World," Lippincott left a lasting legacy in the world of science communication.
Lippincott began her career as a nonfiction editor at The New Yorker before relocating to Los Angeles in 1993. There, she taught writing for ten years at Caltech and later became an editor at the Los Angeles Times Book Review. From 1996 onwards, she edited the sixteen books in the Edge Annual Question series and the twenty-two books in the Science Masters I and Science Masters II series.
In her final days, Lippincott reached out to share a piece she had written, titled "The Tea Table," which she wished to be published on Edge. This poignant and personal essay offers a glimpse into her life and the influences that shaped her.
Lippincott graduated from Wellesley College in 1959, shortly after the release of Vladimir Nabokov’s "Lolita." The novel captivated her, and she described it as "a trip down the stairs with a loud bump and a glorious sprawl at the bottom." This experience ignited her passion for writing, and she decided to pursue a career as a poet.
After completing her English major with a minor in "Moby Dick," Lippincott moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she found a garret in a seedy gabled house on Kirkland Street. Sharing the third floor with a young woman who was struggling with alcoholism, Lippincott supported herself by taking a job as secretary to Dr. Frank Carpenter, a paleoentomologist and former chairman of Harvard’s Biology Department.
Working in the Biology Department exposed Lippincott to the world of science, which would later become her passion. However, her initial aspirations lay in poetry, and she continued to write while supporting herself through various jobs.
Throughout her career, Lippincott dedicated herself to making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience. Her ability to edit and shape the works of renowned scientists and writers helped bring their ideas to life, making them engaging and understandable for the general public.
Lippincott’s work with the Edge Annual Question series and the Science Masters series further solidified her reputation as a skilled editor and a champion of science communication. These series featured contributions from some of the most influential thinkers and scientists of our time, offering readers a unique opportunity to explore the latest discoveries and ideas in science.
In "The Tea Table," Lippincott reflects on her life and the various experiences that shaped her as an editor and a writer. The essay is a tribute to her passion for literature, science, and the art of communication.
Sara Lippincott’s death marks the end of an era for the world of science editing. Her dedication to making science accessible and her unwavering commitment to her craft have left an indelible mark on the field. As she shared her final piece with the world, Lippincott left behind not only a legacy but also a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling in science.
In remembering Sara Lippincott, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have through their work. Her contributions to the world of science communication will continue to inspire future generations of editors and writers, ensuring that the passion for knowledge and understanding endures.
