S. S. McClure facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
S. S. McClure
|
|
|---|---|
S. S. McClure (c. 1903)
|
|
| Born |
Samuel Sidney McClure
February 17, 1857 |
| Died | March 21, 1949 (aged 92) |
| Education | Knox College |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist, publisher, editor |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Hurd (1883-1929; her death) |
Samuel Sidney McClure (February 17, 1857 – March 21, 1949) was an important publisher who was born in Ireland and later moved to America. He became well-known for his work in a special kind of reporting called investigative or muckraking journalism. This type of journalism involves reporters digging deep to find and expose problems or unfair actions in businesses and politics.
McClure helped start and manage McClure's Magazine from 1893 to 1911. This magazine published many stories that revealed wrongdoing. Famous writers like Ida Tarbell, Ray Stannard Baker, and Lincoln Steffens wrote for it. The magazine also featured stories and articles by other leading writers of the time, such as Mark Twain and Jack London.
Contents
Samuel McClure's Early Life and Career
Samuel McClure was born into an Ulster Scots family in County Antrim, which is now part of Northern Ireland. When he was nine years old, his father passed away. He then moved to Indiana, USA, with his widowed mother.
He grew up in a poor family on a farm. In 1875, he graduated from Valparaiso High School. He worked hard to pay for his studies at Knox College. While there, he helped start the student newspaper. After college, he moved to New York City.
In 1884, McClure created the McClure Syndicate. This was the first newspaper syndicate in the United States. It provided stories, book series, recipes, and reviews to Sunday newspapers across the country.
Founding McClure's Magazine
McClure started McClure's Magazine in 1893. He managed it successfully for many years. The magazine became very famous for its influential articles. These were written by respected journalists and authors like Jack London, Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens.
Through his magazine, McClure also helped introduce new teaching ideas to North America. In 1911, he shared Dr. Maria Montessori's special teaching methods with readers.
McClure had a unique way of working with his journalists. Instead of asking for quick articles, he gave them plenty of time. This allowed his writers to do a lot of research on their topics. This method helped create a new standard for in-depth reporting that is still used today.
In 1911, McClure faced health and financial problems. He had to leave McClure's Magazine. Many of his writers also left to start their own magazine. After he left, his autobiography was published in McClure's Magazine. It was written with the help of one of the magazine's editors, Willa Cather.
Samuel McClure passed away in New York City in 1949. He was 92 years old. He is buried next to his wife, Harriet, in Galesburg, Illinois.
McClure's Impact and Legacy
Samuel McClure is remembered as a very talented editor. He had a great ability to guess what the public would be interested in reading. He especially liked articles that exposed problems, which made his magazine famous. He helped make muckraking journalism an important part of American reporting.
He supported writers from the American West. McClure's magazine played a big role in the Progressive Era. This was a time when many people worked to solve social and political problems in the United States.
Images for kids
-
Cover of the January 1901 issue of McClure's Magazine
