Horace Greeley American journalist Date of Birth: 01.01.1811 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Journalistic Beginnings
3. Founding of "The New York Tribune"
4. "The New York Tribune": A Liberal Voice
5. A Multifaceted Reformer
6. Political Aspirations and the Civil War
7. Reconstruction, Corruption, and Presidential Candidacy
8. Defeat and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Horace Greeley was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1811. His parents were farmers who moved frequently, resulting in his receiving a fragmented education, which he completed at the age of 14. Despite this, Greeley was an avid reader and pursued knowledge throughout his life.

Journalistic Beginnings

In 1826, Greeley embarked on his journalistic career as an apprentice printer at the "Northern Spectator" newspaper in Vermont. He later moved to Pennsylvania to work for the "Erie Gazette," and in 1831, settled in New York City, where he began his journey through various newspapers.

Founding of "The New York Tribune"

In 1834, Greeley established his first publication, "The New Yorker" literary weekly. He soon became interested in politics, aligning himself with the Whig Party and supporting William Henry Harrison for President. In 1841, Greeley founded "The New York Tribune," the newspaper with which he would be forever linked and achieve great prominence.

"The New York Tribune": A Liberal Voice

"The New York Tribune" was a more serious and austere newspaper than its rivals, and it quickly gained a large readership, particularly among the puritanical circles of America. By 1860, its combined circulation (daily, semi-weekly, and weekly editions) exceeded 300,000 copies, an unprecedented figure for its time. Unlike other newspapers like "The New York Herald," which were politically conservative, "The Tribune" was the primary outlet for liberal America and had a socialistic tendency, publishing articles by Charles Fourier and other socialist thinkers. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels collaborated with "The Tribune" from 1848 to 1862.

A Multifaceted Reformer

Greeley's interests extended beyond journalism to various social issues. He campaigned against capital punishment, slavery, and for women's and labor rights, vegetarianism, temperance, and marital fidelity. This earned him both staunch supporters and bitter enemies.

Political Aspirations and the Civil War

Throughout his life, Greeley sought political office. He served a brief three-month term in the House of Representatives in 1848, where he criticized Congressmen for their privilege of free postage, making additional enemies. During the Civil War, Greeley first advocated for a peaceful "divorce" from the Southern states but later called for the prompt defeat of the secessionists. As the war dragged on, his disillusionment grew, and he encouraged Lincoln to negotiate with Confederate representatives in 1864.

Reconstruction, Corruption, and Presidential Candidacy

After the war, Greeley championed equal rights for Black Americans and amnesty for Confederates. He opposed President Andrew Johnson's resistance to radical Reconstruction and worked to secure Jefferson Davis's release from prison. Supporting Ulysses S. Grant for President in 1868, Greeley soon became disillusioned and became one of the most vocal critics of Grant's scandal-ridden administration. In 1872, a group of Liberal Republicans nominated Greeley for President, choosing him over Charles Francis Adams. He also received the nomination of the defeated Democratic Party, but Greeley eccentrically decided to run as an independent candidate, similar to Stephen Douglas.

Defeat and Legacy

Greeley's campaign resulted in a landslide defeat, winning only six electoral votes and 44% of the popular vote. In November 1872, he attempted to return to his position as editor of "The Tribune," but the new editor refused to leave. Disillusioned, exhausted, and ill, Greeley retired to his farm, where he died a few days later.