The Alpha Hedge Fund Hall of Fame

Fourteen men whose power and influence have helped to create a $2 trillion industry.

When it comes to sheer financial power and influence, the hedge fund industry has few rivals. Since 1990, hedge funds have grown from a $40 billion cottage business into a nearly $2 trillion global industry. Rarely does a day pass without a hedge fund manager or two making headlines for their latest exploits.

To honor the people behind this phenomenon, we have created the Alpha Hedge Fund Hall of Fame. The first 14 inductees have all had an outsize impact on the hedge fund industry, enjoyed spectacular long-term success and displayed tremendous originality, starting with Alfred Winslow Jones, the inventor of the modern hedge fund. James Simons is on a 20-year roll of 40 percent returns. Bruce Kovner made commodities trading a hot pursuit. George Soros’ larger-than-life adventures put hedge funds on the map, and Kenneth Griffin intends to ensure they stay there. Michael Steinhardt and Steven Cohen brought credibility to short-term trading. Paul Tudor Jones II is the macro trader writ large, Seth Klarman is the premier value sleuth, Leon Levy and Jack Nash pioneered the modern multistrategy fund, and Louis Bacon is the risk manager’s risk manager. Where they blazed trails, others followed — not least the “cubs” sent skittering into the investment world by Tiger Management Corp.’s Julian Robertson Jr. Some of the most influential figures aren’t managers at all, like Yale University’s David Swensen, who made the road less traveled acceptable.

Interview Transcripts:
June 24: Bruce Kovner, James Simons
June 25: Julian Robertson, George Soros, Michael Steinhardt
June 26: Kenneth Griffin, Seth Klarman, David Swensen
June 27: Steven Cohen, Leon Levy, Jack Nash
June 30: Louis Bacon, Alfred Winslow Jones, Paul Tudor Jones