William N. Thorndike Jr.

William N. Thorndike Jr. is the founder and managing partner of Housatonic Partners, a private equity firm specializing in long-term, value-oriented investments. A graduate of Harvard College and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Thorndike has spent over three decades studying the patterns of exceptional capital allocators and long-term wealth creators.

His research culminated in The Outsiders, which has become a foundational text for CEOs, investors, and students of business strategy. The book’s admirers include Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Mark Zuckerberg, who called it one of the most important books on leadership he’s ever read. Thorndike continues to advocate for rationality, patience, and independence as the cornerstones of true executive excellence.