Seth Klarman

Seth Klarman, the founder and CEO of the Baupost Group, is a recognized figure in the investment world, having been inducted into Institutional Investor Alpha's Hedge Fund Manager Hall of Fame in 2008. He co-founded the Baupost Group in 1982 with Harvard Professor William J. Poorvu and other partners, starting with $27 million in startup capital. Under Klarman's leadership, the company has grown exponentially, now managing $30 billion in assets. Klarman is known for his adherence to the investment philosophy of Benjamin Graham, particularly his focus on buying undervalued assets and seeking a margin of safety.

In addition to his investment career, Klarman is an accomplished author, having published "Margin of Safety: Risk Averse Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor" in 1991. This publication further solidified his reputation in the investment community. Klarman's expertise has led him to be frequently compared to Warren Buffett and he is often referred to as the "Oracle of Boston". Klarman also has interests outside the financial world, including owning Klaravich Stables Inc., and winning the Outstanding Owner category at the Eclipse Awards in 2019, alongside partner William Lawrence.

Klarman's influence extends to political and philanthropic realms as well. Registered as an independent voter, he has donated to both Democratic and Republican groups and candidates, although his contributions have leaned heavily towards Democrats since the 2016 election. Through the Klarman Family Foundation, he has donated extensively to pro-democracy initiatives and is a major backer of political non-profits such as the Ending Spending Fund and the pro-same-sex marriage American Unity Fund. His philanthropy, political influence, and investment acumen mark him as a multifaceted individual with a broad range of expertise.