Historical Figure
Joseph Pulitzer
1847–1911
Hungarian-American newspaper publisher (1847–1911)
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Biography
Joseph Pulitzer was a Hungarian-American politician and a newspaper publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York World. He became a leading national figure in the U.S. Democratic Party and served one term representing New York's 9th congressional district.
Timeline
The story of Joseph Pulitzer, told in moments.
Bought the New York World for $346,000. Transformed it with sensational headlines, illustrations, and crusading investigations. Circulation went from 15,000 to 600,000 in three years.
His circulation war with William Randolph Hearst invented "yellow journalism." Both papers pushed for war with Spain. The Maine explosion was the match. Pulitzer later regretted his role.
Endowed the Columbia School of Journalism and the prizes that carry his name. He'd gone blind from overwork and nervous exhaustion. Spent his final years on his yacht to escape noise.
Died aboard his yacht in Charleston Harbor. Age 64. The first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded in 1917.
In Their Own Words (2)
There is not a crime, there is not a dodge, there is not a trick, there is not a swindle, there is not a vice, that does not live by secrecy.
Brian, Denis. Pulitzer: A Life, p. 377. John Wiley and Sons, Oct 1, 2001, 2001
I know that my retirement will make no difference in its [my newspaper's] cardinal principles, that it will always fight for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfied with merely printing news, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.
Retirement speech, April 10, 1907, as reported in the St. Louis [Missouri] Post-Dispatch (April 11, 1907)., 1907
Artifacts (14)
Joseph Pulitzer
Henry Wolf, born Eckwersheim, Alsace 1852-died New York City 1916
3c Joseph Pulitzer plate proof
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The School of Journalism in Columbia University: The Book that Transformed Journalism from a Trade Into a Profession
Joseph Pulitzer founded the Pulitzer Prizes and was one of the most talented publishers in American history. For the last twenty years of his life, he wanted to transform journalism into a profession...
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