William Randolph Hearst was not just a name; he was a force of nature in the world of journalism. Born on April 29, 1863, in San Francisco, California, Hearst leveraged his immense wealth and privilege to build an unparalleled media empire. He became synonymous with "yellow journalism," a sensationalist style of reporting that captured the public's attention but also drew its fair share of criticism. His life was a tapestry woven with ambition, political aspirations, and an insatiable quest for influence, culminating in a legacy that shaped the landscape of American media.
As a young man, Hearst was educated in prestigious private schools and even attended Harvard College. However, it was his father's acquisition of the failing San Francisco Examiner that would set the stage for Hearst's meteoric rise. By the age of 24, he had transformed the newspaper into a powerhouse, employing some of the finest writers of the time and adopting a brash style that would define his career. But Hearst's ambitions extended beyond journalism; he also dipped his toes into politics, garnering a reputation that would echo throughout history.
Yet, Hearst's journey was not without its challenges. The Great Depression took a significant toll on his empire, leading to a decline in influence. Despite this, his company endured, and his legacy continues to spark discussions about the ethical boundaries of journalism and the impact of media on society. In the course of this article, we will explore Hearst's life, career, and the lessons that can be drawn from his remarkable yet controversial journey.
Table of Contents
- Who Was William Randolph Hearst?
- Early Life and Career
- Building a Media Empire
- Political Career and Children
- Later Career
- Final Years and Death
- Quick Facts
- Fact Check
- Citation Information
- Quotes
Who Was William Randolph Hearst?
William Randolph Hearst used his wealth and privilege to build a massive media empire. A founder of "yellow journalism," he was praised for his success and vilified by his enemies. At one point, he considered running for the U.S. presidency. The Great Depression took a toll on Hearst's company, and his influence gradually waned, though his company survived.
Early Life and Career
William Randolph Hearst dominated journalism for nearly half a century. Born in San Francisco, California, on April 29, 1863, to George Hearst and Phoebe Apperson Hearst, young William was taught in private schools and on tours of Europe. He attended Harvard College, where he served as an editor for the Harvard Lampoon before being expelled for misconduct.
While at Harvard, Hearst was inspired by the New York World newspaper and its crusading publisher, Joseph Pulitzer. Hearst's father, a California Gold Rush multimillionaire, had acquired the failing San Francisco Examiner newspaper to promote his political career. In 1887, Hearst was granted the opportunity to run the publication. Hearst invested heavily in the paper, upgrading the equipment and hiring the most talented writers of the time, including Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, and Jack London.
Building a Media Empire
With the success of the Examiner, Hearst set his sights on larger markets and his former idol, now rival, Pulitzer. He purchased the New York Morning Journal (formerly owned by Pulitzer) in 1895, and a year later began publishing the Evening Journal. He strove to win the circulation wars by employing the same brand of journalism he had at the Examiner. Competition was fierce, with Hearst cutting the newspaper’s price to one cent. Pulitzer countered by matching that price. Hearst retaliated by raiding the World’s staff, offering higher salaries and better positions. By 1897, Hearst’s two New York papers had bested Pulitzer, with a combined circulation of 1.5 million.
In the last decade of the 19th century, politics came to dominate Hearst's newspapers and ultimately reveal his complex political views. While his paper supported the Democratic Party, he opposed the party's 1896 candidate for president, William Jennings Bryan. In 1898, Hearst pushed for war with Spain to liberate Cuba, which the Democrats opposed. Hearst’s own lavish lifestyle insulated him from the troubled masses that he seemed to champion in his newspapers.
Political Career and Children
In 1900, Hearst followed his father's example and entered politics. Having established newspapers in several more cities, including Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles, he began his quest for the U.S. presidency, spending $2 million in the process. The journey didn’t last long. Hearst did win election to the House of Representatives in 1902 and 1904. However, maintaining his media empire while also running for mayor of New York City and governor of New York left him little time to actually serve in Congress. Angered colleagues and voters retaliated, and he lost both New York races, ending his political career.
On April 27, 1903, Hearst married 21-year-old Millicent Willson, a showgirl, in New York City. It is believed the marriage was as much a political arrangement as it was an attraction to glamour for Hearst. Millicent’s mother reputedly ran a Tammany Hall-connected brothel in the city, and Hearst undoubtedly saw the advantage of being well-connected to the Democratic center of power in New York. Millicent bore Hearst five sons, all of whom followed their father into the media business.
Later Career
After his flameout in politics, Hearst returned full-time to his publishing business. In 1917, Hearst’s roving eye fell upon Ziegfeld Follies showgirl Marion Davies, and by 1919 he was openly living with her in California. That same year, Hearst’s mother, Phoebe, died, leaving him the family’s fortune, which included a 168,000-acre ranch in San Simeon, California. Over the next several decades, Hearst spent millions of dollars expanding the property, building a Baroque-style castle, filling it with European artwork, and surrounding it with exotic animals and plants.
By the 1920s, one in every four Americans read a Hearst newspaper. Hearst’s media empire had grown to include 20 daily and 11 Sunday papers in 13 cities. He controlled the King Features syndicate and the International News Service, as well as six magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Harper's Bazaar. He also ventured into motion pictures with a newsreel and a film company. He and his empire were at their zenith.
Final Years and Death
Hearst spent his remaining 10 years with declining influence on his media empire and the public. He died on August 14, 1951, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 88.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | William Randolph Hearst |
| Birth Year | 1863 |
| Birth Date | April 29, 1863 |
| Birth State | California |
| Birth City | San Francisco |
| Birth Country | United States |
| Gender | Male |
| Best Known For | <
