Andrew Heiskell, 87; Head of Time Inc., Library Benefactor

Andrew Heiskell, who served as chairman of Time Inc. and led philanthropic efforts that helped improve the New York Public Library system, has died. He was 87.

Heiskell, who died Sunday at his home in Darien, Conn., spent 43 years with Time. He rose to chairman and chief executive before embarking on a career in philanthropy in which he raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the library system.

Born in Naples, Italy, in 1915 of American expatriate parents, he began his career with Time in 1937, producing and editing articles on science and medicine for Life magazine. He later moved from editorial responsibilities to business duties.

At the age of 30, he became publisher of Life and in 1960 was named chairman of the entire Time Inc. media conglomerate. He ran the company until 1980, reluctantly closing Life, but launching People in 1974.

In the late 1960s, after riots tore through many American cities, Heiskell helped found the Urban Coalition, an organization that addressed urban problems.

Later, as chairman of the Enterprise Foundation advisory board, Heiskell helped advance $600 million worth of housing in blighted areas of New York City.

He joined the board of the New York Public Library in 1978 and began an effort to save the ailing system. Along with Director Vartan Gregorian and philanthropist Brooke Astor, he began a campaign to transform the city’s libraries.

He later teamed up with writer and urban scholar William Whyte in a 12-year project to rehabilitate Bryant Park, the Midtown lawn abutting the main New York Public Library.

Survivors include his wife, Marian Sulzberger Heiskell; a sister, Diana Heiskell; a son, Peter Chapin; a daughter, Diane Schetky; a stepson, Robert Dryfoos; and two stepdaughters, Jacqueline and Susan Dryfoos. His wife is also the widow of Orvil E. Dryfoos, former publisher of the New York Times, who died in 1963.