James Gordon Bennett Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Gordon Bennett Sr.
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Bennett around 1851
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| Born | September 1, 1795 |
| Died | June 1, 1872 (aged 76) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Publisher |
| Known for | Founder of New York Herald |
| Spouse(s) |
Henrietta Agnes Crean
(m. 1840) |
| Children | 3, including James Jr. |
James Gordon Bennett Sr. (born September 1, 1795 – died June 1, 1872) was an important American businessman. He was born in Scotland. He started, edited, and published the New York Herald newspaper. He played a big role in the history of American newspapers.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Bennett was born into a well-off Catholic family in Newmill, Scotland. When he was 15, he went to a Catholic school called Blairs Seminary for four years. After leaving school, he read many books on his own. He also traveled around Scotland.
In 1819, he sailed to North America with a friend. They landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bennett worked there as a school teacher for a short time. He saved enough money to travel south to Portland, Maine. He taught school again in Addison. By New Year's Day, 1820, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts.
He worked in New England as a proofreader and bookseller. Later, the Charleston Courier newspaper in Charleston hired him. His job was to translate news reports from Spanish. So, he moved to the South for a while. In 1823, he moved back north to New York City. There, he first wrote for newspapers as a freelancer. Then, he became an assistant editor at the New York Courier and Enquirer. This was one of the oldest newspapers in the city.
Starting the New York Herald
In May 1835, James Gordon Bennett started the New York Herald. He had tried to start a newspaper many times before. The Herald was very innovative. Bennett got a big news story by doing the first-ever newspaper interview. This was a new way to get information for a paper.
For business, The Herald asked advertisers to pay upfront. This idea later became common in the newspaper industry. Bennett also used the newest technology to get and report news quickly. He added pictures made from woodcuts to his paper. In 1839, he got the first-ever exclusive interview with a sitting President of the United States. This was with President Martin Van Buren.
Newspaper's Political Views
The Herald officially said it was independent in politics. However, it supported different candidates for president over the years. These included William Henry Harrison (1840), James K. Polk (1844), Zachary Taylor (1848), Franklin Pierce (1852), and John C. Frémont (1856).
As tensions grew over slavery and states' rights in the 1850s, the New York Herald took a stance that supported Southern views. Bennett argued that a compromise on slavery would make people less worried about the issue.
In the 1860 presidential campaign, the paper first supported John C. Breckinridge. Later, it shifted to support John Bell. During the Civil War (1861–1865), Bennett supported former Union Army General George B. McClellan. McClellan was running for president in the 1864 election. He wanted a peaceful end to the war. The Herald did not officially support any candidate in that election.
Even though he often disagreed with President Abraham Lincoln, Bennett still supported the Northern side in the war. After Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, Bennett helped make him a national hero. He also supported President Andrew Johnson's plans for rebuilding the South after the war.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1866, Bennett gave control of the New York Herald to his son, James Gordon Bennett Jr.. At that time, the Herald had the most readers in America. But it soon faced strong competition from other newspapers. These included New York Tribune, New York World, New York Journal, and The New York Times.
Under his son's leadership, the paper slowly lost its top spot. It faced more competition and new technologies. After his son died in 1912, the Herald merged with the New York Tribune in 1924. It became the New York Herald Tribune. This new paper was very successful for 42 years. It finally closed in 1966–1967.
Personal Life and Death
On June 6, 1840, James Gordon Bennett married Henrietta Agnes Crean in New York. They had three children, including:
- James Gordon Bennett, Jr. (1841–1918)
- Jeanette Gordon Bennett (died 1936), who married Isaac Bell Jr.
James Gordon Bennett Sr. died in Manhattan, New York City, on June 1, 1872. He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York City.
His Impact
Bennett and the Herald were known for their strong opinions. They often used language that was controversial for the time. They supported Southern viewpoints and sometimes opposed the American Civil War.
In 1869, Bennett created an award for bravery for the New York City Fire Department. He did this after firefighters saved his home. This award was one of the department's highest honors for 150 years. However, on September 7, 2020, the award was renamed. This was because of Bennett's controversial views. It was renamed after Chief Peter J. Ganci, who died during the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Historian Robert C. Bannister said that Bennett was a "gifted and controversial editor." He changed American newspapers. The Herald started covering sports, society news, and advice columns. These became common features in most big city newspapers.
Bennett was also very good at gathering news quickly. He used the telegraph, pony express, and even ships to get news from Europe fast. He also fought against fraud on Wall Street and challenged powerful banks.
The Avenue Gordon Bennett in Paris, France, near the Stade de Roland Garros (where the French Open tennis tournament is held), is named after James Gordon Bennett Sr. This might be thanks to his son.
See also
In Spanish: James Gordon Bennett para niños
