Stephen Chapman is a columnist and editorial writer for the Chicago Tribune. His twice-weekly column on national and international affairs appears in some 60 papers across the country.

He came to the Tribune in 1981 from New Republic magazine, where he was an associate editor.

His column was first syndicated nationally in 1982. He has contributed articles to several national magazines, including the Atlantic, Harper's, Reason and the American Spectator.

Born in Brady, Texas, in 1954, Chapman grew up in Midland and Austin. He attended Harvard University, where he was a member of the editorial board of the Harvard Crimson. He graduated cum laude from the university in 1976 with a degree in general studies and later did graduate work in business administration at the University of Chicago.     

Chapman lives in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago, with his wife and three children. 

(Source: Townhll.com)

"Every time we insist that the government assume the duty of protecting us from life's many vagaries, the government is bound to insist in return that we stop doing things that could make its task harder or more complicated. They don't call it paternalistic government for nothing -- you get taken care of, but Daddy tells you what to do, or else.

"If you want freedom for yourself and your fellow citizens, you have to be prepared to accept life outside the cocoon of government guarantees. Sorry, but you have to grow up.

"Americans used to understand that freedom and self-reliance are two sides of the same coin and that dependence means forfeiting control…"
-- "American Voters Are In No Hurry To Grow Up," March 30, 2000 column.