Who is John Brockman in the Epstein files?

John Brockman is an American literary agent and the founder of the Edge Foundation (Edge.org), a prominent intellectual salon that brought together leading scientists, technologists, and thinkers. In the Epstein documents, he appears as one of Epstein's most significant long-term associates in the intellectual world. He is listed on flight manifests from 2002 and 2007, exchanged personal emails with Epstein over many years, and ran the Edge Foundation which received the vast majority of its funding from Epstein — at least $638,000 between 2001 and 2017. Brockman has been described as Epstein's gateway to the scientific and intellectual elite.

Did John Brockman continue his relationship with Epstein after the 2008 conviction?

Yes, the documents show their relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 sex crimes conviction. A December 2011 email shows Brockman inviting Epstein to participate in the Edge Annual Question 2012, with Epstein offering ideas about mathematics and Brockman enthusiastically responding. Epstein also continued funding the Edge Foundation after his conviction, with donations recorded through at least 2015. A 2017 email shows Brockman discussing a book project with Epstein, and Epstein's 2019 notes still reference Brockman as a key contact.

What was the connection between the Edge Foundation and Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was the dominant financial backer of the Edge Foundation, providing at least $638,000 of its roughly $857,000 in donations between 2001 and 2017. In many years, Epstein was Edge's sole donor. The foundation hosted exclusive 'Billionaires' Dinners' and intellectual gatherings where Epstein was able to mingle with leading scientists, tech entrepreneurs, and wealthy patrons. This arrangement gave Epstein access to a prestigious intellectual network while funding Brockman's operations. After Epstein's relationship with Edge became public, photographs of Epstein at Edge events were removed from the website.

How did others view John Brockman's role in Epstein's network?

The documents offer mixed perspectives. One email contact thanks Epstein warmly for introducing them to Brockman, suggesting Epstein used Brockman as a valued introduction. However, another email chain contains a more critical view, with someone describing the 'egomaniacal nonsense that infects John Brockman' and his approach of getting 'the brightest minds in a room and have them tell each other what they think is most important.' Epstein's own notes from 2019 call Brockman a 'genius,' indicating he held Brockman in high regard as a connector and intellectual organizer.

Who is John Brockman in the Epstein files?

John Brockman is an American literary agent and the founder of the Edge Foundation (Edge.org), a prominent intellectual salon that brought together leading scientists, technologists, and thinkers. In the Epstein documents, he appears as one of Epstein's most significant long-term associates in the intellectual world. He is listed on flight manifests from 2002 and 2007, exchanged personal emails with Epstein over many years, and ran the Edge Foundation which received the vast majority of its funding from Epstein — at least $638,000 between 2001 and 2017. Brockman has been described as Epstein's gateway to the scientific and intellectual elite.

Did John Brockman continue his relationship with Epstein after the 2008 conviction?

Yes, the documents show their relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 sex crimes conviction. A December 2011 email shows Brockman inviting Epstein to participate in the Edge Annual Question 2012, with Epstein offering ideas about mathematics and Brockman enthusiastically responding. Epstein also continued funding the Edge Foundation after his conviction, with donations recorded through at least 2015. A 2017 email shows Brockman discussing a book project with Epstein, and Epstein's 2019 notes still reference Brockman as a key contact.

What was the connection between the Edge Foundation and Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was the dominant financial backer of the Edge Foundation, providing at least $638,000 of its roughly $857,000 in donations between 2001 and 2017. In many years, Epstein was Edge's sole donor. The foundation hosted exclusive 'Billionaires' Dinners' and intellectual gatherings where Epstein was able to mingle with leading scientists, tech entrepreneurs, and wealthy patrons. This arrangement gave Epstein access to a prestigious intellectual network while funding Brockman's operations. After Epstein's relationship with Edge became public, photographs of Epstein at Edge events were removed from the website.

How did others view John Brockman's role in Epstein's network?

The documents offer mixed perspectives. One email contact thanks Epstein warmly for introducing them to Brockman, suggesting Epstein used Brockman as a valued introduction. However, another email chain contains a more critical view, with someone describing the 'egomaniacal nonsense that infects John Brockman' and his approach of getting 'the brightest minds in a room and have them tell each other what they think is most important.' Epstein's own notes from 2019 call Brockman a 'genius,' indicating he held Brockman in high regard as a connector and intellectual organizer.

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John Brockman

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BrockmanJohn BrockmaBROCKMANJOHN BROCKMAN

3,205

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1,753

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5,213

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American literary agent

Wikipedia Official Site

John Brockman, the prominent literary agent and founder of the Edge Foundation, had a well-documented, long-running professional and social relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was the largest financial donor to the Edge Foundation and appeared on Epstein's flight manifests in 2002 and 2007.

Brockman appears in the documents through multiple high-signal channels: flight manifests from 2002 and 2007, direct personal email correspondence with Epstein spanning years (including invitations to the Edge Annual Question and casual personal exchanges), and references by third parties who describe Epstein introducing them to Brockman. He is also referenced in what appear to be Epstein's planning notes listing intellectuals and scientists, where Brockman is grouped alongside names like Noam Chomsky, Seth Lloyd, and Lawrence Krauss. Additionally, Brockman's literary agency Brockman, Inc. appears in documents related to book deals involving authors in Epstein's intellectual orbit, such as Daniel Kahneman.

Key Highlights

•Brockman appears on Epstein flight manifests from both 2002 and 2007, indicating travel on Epstein's private aircraft across multiple years
•Direct personal email exchanges show an informal, ongoing relationship — Brockman sent Epstein invitations to the confidential Edge Annual Question (2011-2012), with Epstein contributing ideas and Brockman responding casually ('Keep it coming. JB'), notably continuing after Epstein's 2008 conviction
•Epstein's foundations provided at least $638,000 of the Edge Foundation's approximately $857,000 in donations between 2001-2017, making Epstein by far its largest donor and in many years its sole funder
•Third parties describe Epstein making personal introductions to Brockman, with one contact thanking Epstein for 'your introductions to Brockman and Ehud' and noting ongoing intellectual conversations
•Epstein's own planning notes from June 2019 list 'brockman' alongside other scientists and intellectuals in what appears to be a curated contact list prepared for Steve Bannon, and a separate message simply reads 'Brockman genius'
•An email from 2017 shows Brockman reaching out to Epstein about a book project involving Trump, the Village Voice, and evolving into a short book — demonstrating their relationship extended to professional literary matters

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Mentions (20 of 1,753)

EFTA01983851.pdf

EFTA01983851

3 mentions

On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, wrote: > • John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally f

To: From: Jeevacation Sent: Tue 9/14/2010 6:10:40 PM Subject: Re: Re: Yes Sent from my iPhone On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, wrote: > • John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally famous > wife...he asked if JE wanted to invite them as well, but I have heard > : > Danny Kahnema

ssage > From: J J > To: > Subject: Re: > Sent: 14 Sep 2010 18:11 > • Who? > • Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 14, 2010, at 12:54 PM, wrote: > Broakman wants to invite 2 guests - scientist lesely didn't rsvp but why not can I let her know its ok EFTA_R1_00473553 EFTA01983851

EFTA02256494.pdf

EFTA02256494

3 mentions

To: Lesley Gro l Cc: Bella Klein From: Richard Kahn Sent Mon 8/27/2018 6:59:31 PM Subject Re: John Brockman jee just instructed me to send brockman (edge foundation) 35,000 from Gratitude hello please process check and lesley ok to inform john thanks Richard

Sent Mon 8/27/2018 6:59:31 PM Subject Re: John Brockman jee just instructed me to send brockman (edge fo

iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: "jeffrey E." <jeevacationegmail.com> Date: August 21, 2018 at 12:57:22 PM EDT To: Lesley Groff Subject: Re: John Brockman Tell him two different charities On Tue, Aug 21, 2018 at 12:32 PM Lesley Groff ‹ > wrote: John Brockman received a check for $25,000. He says jeff

EFTA02684883.pdf

EFTA02684883

3 mentions

n Original Message > From:1 J > To: > Subject: Re: > Sent: 14 Sep 2010 18:11 > Who? > Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 14, 2010, at 12:54 PM » Broakman wants to invite 2 guests - scientist - lesely didn't rsvp » but wh= not - can I let her know its ok >> wrote: <?xml version=.0" encoding=TF-8"?>

eptember 14, 2010 6:11 PM Re: Re: rote: > John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally f

Yes Sent from my iPhone On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, Jeevacation <[email protected]> Tuesday, September 14, 2010 6:11 PM Re: Re: rote: > John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally famous > wife...he asked if JE wanted to invite them as well, but I have heard >: > Danny Kahneman

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EFTA00468111.pdf

EFTA00468111

3 mentions

12:25pm Valdson and to arrive JFK via Delta#405 (Rec. 12:25pm to arrive JFK via Delta#405 (Rec. 2:00pm Appt w/Leon Botstein a) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 NY 4:30pm Appt w/Gerald Banks w/Altpoint Capital (friend of Jeremy Rubin) EFTA00468111 7:00pm Dinner OUT w/Tim Zagat 5 assistants

0pm Appt w/Leon Botstein a) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 NY 4:30pm Appt w/Gerald Bank

2:00pm Appt w/Leon Botstein a) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 NY 4:30pm Appt w/Gerald Bank

EFTA02441172.pdf

EFTA02441172

3 mentions

PM Subject: RE: first pass Replies IN CAPS below... From: Jeffrey Epstein [mailto:[email protected] ilile Se • ugust 11, 2009 4:57 PM To John Brockman• Cc: rna y arsh; Subject: first pass I intend to fully fund the following gatherings ( meetings with lots of interaction hikes coffee. cross pollinat

ail.comJ ilile Se • ugust 11, 2009 4:57 PM To John Brockman• Cc: rna y arsh; Subject: first pass I intend

omJ ilile Se • ugust 11, 2009 4:57 PM To John Brockman• Cc: rna y arsh; Subject: first pass I intend

EFTA01830207.pdf

EFTA01830207

3 mentions

To: John Brockma Fran: Jeffrey Epstein Sent Sat 12/11/2010 3:25:06 PM Subject Re: Trivers in Cuba I want to follow up on your edgestream idea, do you want to bring ga

with you On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 9:04 PM, John Brockman wrote: Eastover Farm JE, Robert is cn route t

rivers in Cuba I want to follow up on your edgestream idea, do you want to bring galerntner to the house with you On Fri, Dec 10, 2010 at 9:04 PM, John Brockman wrote: Eastover Farm JE, Robert is cn route to Cuba, arriving Monday. Fidel? JB From Date: December 9, 2010 11:23:52 AM EST To: John Brockman

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EFTA00867765.pdf

EFTA00867765

3 mentions

From: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: Joi Ito , Barnaby Marsh Subject: Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:29:19 +0000 >, John Brockman joi, bamaby, I was speaking with John who raised the question of having" genius "in the titles rather than something less well accepted, instituional. a

bject: Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:29:19 +0000 >, John Brockman joi, bamaby, I was speaking with John who raised

: Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:29:19 +0000 >, John Brockman joi, bamaby, I was speaking with John who raised

EFTA02421981.pdf

EFTA02421981

3 mentions

To: JJ'eevacation mailmon, From: Sent ue 1 : : SUllect Re: John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally famous wife...he asked if JE wanted to invite them as well, but I have heard Danny Kahneman Orig

neman Original Message From: J J To: Subject: Re: Sent: 14 Sep 2010 18:11 Who? Sent from my iPhone On Sep 14, 2010, at 12:54 PM, wrote: > Broakman wants to invite 2 guests - scientist - lesely didn't rsvp but why not can I let her know its ok EFTA_R1_01488494 EFTA02421981

lmon, From: Sent ue 1 : : SUllect Re: John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally f

EFTA02673522.pdf

EFTA02673522

3 mentions

From: Lesley Groff Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 5:49 PM To: Epstein Jeffrey Subject: John Brockman LM & emailed John Brockman to please give you a call...he is in CA <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.

013 5:49 PM To: Epstein Jeffrey Subject: John Brockman LM & emailed John Brockman to please give you a

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EFTA02516225.pdf

EFTA02516225

3 mentions

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2014 6:29 PM To: Joi Ito; Barnaby Marsh; John Brockman joi, barnaby, I was speaking with John who raised th= question of having" genius "in the titles rather than som=thing less well accepted, instituional.

er 27, 2014 6:29 PM To: Joi Ito; Barnaby Marsh; John Brockman joi, barnaby, I was speaking with John who raise

, 2014 6:29 PM To: Joi Ito; Barnaby Marsh; John Brockman joi, barnaby, I was speaking with John who raise

EFTA00814618.pdf

EFTA00814618

3 mentions

it.ly/2e2iocS. Check out her website for new work (where "Epstein's Calla Lily" is still my favorite: bit.ly/2dxl6CT). At home today: mobile. JB BROCKMAN. INC. FRANKFURT CATALOG 2016 user id: password: please note The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be attorney-clie

From: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: John Brockman Subject: Re: how are you felling. ? Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:08:19 +0000 You hairy n is owned by ny close friend Leon black On Tuesday, 18 Octobe

: "Jeffrey E." <[email protected]> To: John Brockman Subject: Re: how are you felling. ? Date: Tue, 1

EFTA01961710.pdf

EFTA01961710

3 mentions

To: Epstein [email protected]] From: Lesley Groff Sent: Thur 8/22/2013 5:49:13 PM Subject: John Brockman LM & emailed John Brockman to please give you a call...he is in CA EFTA_R1_00436599 EFTA01961710

Sent: Thur 8/22/2013 5:49:13 PM Subject: John Brockman LM & emailed John Brockman to please give you a

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EFTA00915551.pdf

EFTA00915551

3 mentions

sunday Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:41:52 +0000 I. John Brockman 2. Katinka Matson 3. Max Brockman 4. Jennie Ri

m: Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation®grnail.com> To: Richard Merkin <rmerkin®casr.com> Subject: dinner sf sunday Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:41:52 +0000 I. John Brockman 2. Katinka Matson 3. Max Brockman 4. Jennie Ripps 5. Stewart Brand 6. Ryan Phelan 7. Leda Cosmides 8. Chris DiBona 9. George Dyson 10. Jeffr

y Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:41:52 +0000 I. John Brockman 2. Katinka Matson 3. Max Brockman 4. Jennie Ri

EFTA00468114.pdf

EFTA00468114

3 mentions

2:25pm Valdson and to arrive JFK via Delta#40S (Rec. 12:2Spm to arrive JFK via Delta#405 (Rec. 2:00pm Appt w/Leon Botstein (MM.) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29.2018 NY EFTA00468114 4:30pm Appt warald Banks w/Altpoint Capital (friend ofjeremy Rubin) 7:00pm Dinner OUT w/Tim Zagat 5 assistants to

:00pm Appt w/Leon Botstein (MM.) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29.2018 NY EFTA00468114 4:30pm Appt

Appt w/Leon Botstein (MM.) 7:00pm DINNER w/John Brockman Mon. Jan. 29.2018 NY EFTA00468114 4:30pm Appt

EFTA00575777.pdf

EFTA00575777

3 mentions

or again Begin forwarded message: From: Jeffrey epstein <[email protected]> Subject: Re: tomorrow Date: November 14, 2011 11:44.08 AM EST To: John Brockman < Cc: Or let's have a dinner on thurs . I'll try a new chef Sony for all the typos .Sent from my iPhone On Nov 14, 2011, at 5:39 PM, John Brockma

Date: November 14, 2011 11:44.08 AM EST To: John Brockman < Cc: Or let's have a dinner on thurs . I'll tr

mors days. If so we can move the meeting to 6pm thdn dinner. Would that suit you. JB ------ Original message Subject: tomorrow From: Brian Eno To: John Brockman - CC: We've been having such a nice time in New York that we are thinking of adding a couple of days to our stay. This isn't confirmed yet but I think i

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EFTA01962374.pdf

EFTA01962374

3 mentions

ed to call On Wed, Aug 21, 2013 at 1:29 PM, John Brockman wrote: sounds good, do you need funding? Epste

ock From: Jeffrey Epstneill Sent Wed 8/21/2013 10:39:51 PM Subject: Re: Im in, who s coming ? i tried to call On Wed, Aug 21, 2013 at 1:29 PM, John Brockman wrote: sounds good, do you need funding? Epstein's third law: "Learn how to say yes." (supplants "know when you are winning"). JB On Wed, Aug

do you need funding? Epstein's third law: "Learn how to say yes." (supplants "know when you are winning"). JB On Wed, Aug 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM, John Brockman JE, >>any more thoughts on farm meeting? wrote: On vacation in Napa (at Safra's place) with Kahneman and Thaler. Tweet from last night's dinner: At

EFTA02419804.pdf

EFTA02419804

3 mentions

nal Message > • Fro • > To: > Subject: Re: > Sent: 14 Sep 2010 18:11 > who? > Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 14, 2010, at 12:54 PM, wrote: >> Broakman wants to invite 2 guests - scientist - lesely didn't rsvp but why not can I let her know its ok >> EFTA_R1_01485531 EFTA02419804

Gx Original Message Fro • To: Subject: Re: Re: Sent: 14 Sep 2010 19:10 Yes Sent from my iPhone On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, wrote: > • John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally famous > wife...he asked if JE wanted to invite them as well, but I have heard > : > Danny Kahnema

On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, wrote: > • John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally f

EFTA01837591.pdf

EFTA01837591

3 mentions

ions arc below for the party tonight! From: Subject: Fwd: dinner details Date: Tue 1 Mar 2011 13:36:24 -0500 To: Begin forwarded message: From: John Brockman < > Date: March 1, 20 :15:37 PM EST To: Lesley Groff < >, Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation@qmail com> Subject: dinner details DINNER LINE-UP & DE

2.28 Fri 3.4 Long Beach I Hyatt Regency I Beverly Hills I Peninsula Beverly Hills I Mon 3.7 New York EFTA_R1_00219225 EFTA01837592 Pe lie John Brockman ast President Edge Foundation, Inc. 5 East 59th Street New York, NY 10022 tel: fax: 212.935.5535 Visit the EDGE Website at: http://www.edge.org K

-0500 To: Begin forwarded message: From: John Brockman < > Date: March 1, 20 :15:37 PM EST To: Lesle

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EFTA02531893.pdf

EFTA02531893

3 mentions

an Original Message > From:11 > To > Subject: Re: > Sent: 14 Sep 2010 18:11 > Who? > Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 14, 2010, at 12:54 PM, » Broakman wants to invite 2 guests - scientist - lesely didn't rsvp » but wh= not - can I let her know its ok >> ote: <?xml version=.0" encoding=TF-8"?> <

From: Sent: To: Subject: Yes Sent from my iPhone On Sep 14, 2010, at 1:50 PM, Jeevacation <[email protected]> Re: Re: rote: > John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally famous > wife...he asked if JE wanted to invite them as well, but I have heard >: > Danny Kahneman

n <[email protected]> Re: Re: rote: > John Brockman has friends in town: nobel laureate and equally f

EFTA02394909.pdf

EFTA02394909

3 mentions

013 5:49 PM To: Epstein Jeffrey Subject: John Brockman LM & emailed John Brockman to please give you a

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Connected Entities(20 of 5,213)

Jeffrey Epstein