Hutchins Hapgood facts for kids
Hutchins Harry Hapgood (born in 1869, died in 1944) was an American writer and journalist. He was also known for his ideas about anarchism, which is a political idea about how society should be organized. He wrote many books and articles about life in American cities.
Who Was Hutchins Hapgood?
Hutchins Hapgood was born in 1869. His family lived in Alton, Illinois. His father was a successful businessman who made farming tools. Hutchins had an older brother named Norman Hapgood, who also became a famous journalist.
Early Life and Education
Hutchins first went to the University of Michigan. After a year, he moved to Harvard University. He earned his first degree from Harvard in 1892. Later, in 1897, he got his master's degree. During these years, he also studied in Germany. He learned about sociology and philosophy at universities in Berlin and Freiburg.
After finishing his studies, Hapgood taught English writing. He taught at Harvard and the University of Chicago. But his brother Norman inspired him to try journalism instead.
Starting His Career
Hutchins Hapgood got his first job at a newspaper called the New York Commercial Advertiser. This newspaper later became the New York Globe. His boss and mentor there was Lincoln Steffens. Steffens was a "muckraking" reporter. This means he investigated and wrote about corruption and problems in society.
On June 22, 1899, Hutchins married Neith Boyce. She was also a journalist and Steffens' assistant. In 1904, when the Advertiser changed its name to the Globe, Hapgood moved back to Chicago for a short time. There, he wrote about plays for the Chicago Evening Post. He later returned to New York. He spent much of his career writing for newspapers like the New York Evening Post, the Press, and the Globe.
Important Writings
Hutchins Hapgood wrote several books. These books often explored different parts of American life and society.
- Paul Jones (1901)
- The Spirit of the Ghetto: Studies of the Jewish Quarter in New York (1902) - This book looked at the lives of Jewish immigrants in New York City.
- The Autobiography of a Thief (1903)
- The Spirit of Labor (1907) - This book explored the lives of working people.
- Types from City Streets (1910) - This book described different kinds of people Hapgood met in cities.
- An Anarchist Woman (Novel, 1909) - This was a novel.
- The Story of a Lover (1919) - This book was published without his name on it.
- A Victorian in the Modern World (1939) - This was his autobiography, telling his own life story.
