Warren James Hinckle III (1938–2016) was a prominent and influential American political journalist, editor, and publisher, best known for his investigative work and his role in shaping radical journalism during the 1960s counterculture movement. Born on October 12, 1938, in San Francisco, California, to an Irish Catholic family, he was raised in the city’s Sunset District in a working-class environment. Hinckle attended the University of San Francisco, a Jesuit institution, where he honed his writing and editing skills. His flamboyant style and muckraking approach defined his career, making him a key figure in the New Left and anti-Vietnam War activism.

Hinckle’s most notable contribution came as editor of Ramparts magazine, which he led during its heyday in the 1960s, transforming it from a modest Catholic publication into a powerhouse of investigative journalism and radical politics. Under his leadership from around 1964, Ramparts exposed CIA funding of student groups, challenged U.S. foreign policy, and became a galvanizing force for the New Left during the Vietnam War era. He also played a pivotal role in launching gonzo journalism by pairing writer Hunter S. Thompson with illustrator Ralph Steadman. Later, Hinckle edited the short-lived Scanlan’s Monthly and continued his career as a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets, maintaining his reputation as a hard-drinking, iconoclastic gadfly who covered urban turmoil and political scandals with flair.

Throughout his life, Hinckle remained based in San Francisco, where he authored books, essays, and continued to influence investigative reporting until his death. He passed away on August 25, 2016, at age 77, leaving a legacy as a champion of fearless journalism that blended activism with showmanship. His papers, spanning 1937–2012, are archived and reflect his extensive network in media and radical circles.