Benjamin Henry Day

Benjamin Henry Day (known as the "Father of the Penny Press") was an influential and controversial newspaper publisher born on April 10, 1810 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was best known for his work as the owner and publisher of the newspaper the New York Sun. 

Day began his career as a journalist when he became a printer's apprentice for Samuel Bowel II's Springfield Republican in the year 1824. After working for the Springfield Republican for several years, he decided to move to New York to be a printer for both the Journal of Commerce and the New York Evening Post.

It became apparent to Day that he desired to publish his own paper, and in 1833 Day did so with the New York Sun. The Sun was directed to the middle and working-class, and was sold at one cent per copy with the motto "It Shines For All." Day's paper emphasized the human aspect of news, often attempting to use humor in the writings. The circulation of the paper peaked at around 50,000 (due in part to an fictional article about life on the moon that the general public thought was true).

  

Soon thereafter, sales and subsequently profits began to decline and libel suits threatened the financial stability of the New York Sun. The pressure forced Day to sell the paper to his brother-in-law Moses Yale Beach for $40,000 in 1838, a decision Day would later regret.

Benjamin Henry Day forever changed the world of journalism within American society. He was one of the first and most prominent journalists to use sensationalism in his publication, evidenced by the article that claimed there was life on the moon. Day also helped import to the United States the "London Plan", a system in which paper carriers buy newspapers from the publisher and sell the papers to the public for a profit.

Sources:

1) Swati, C.. N.p.. Web. 11 Sep 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/153050/Benjamin-Henry-Day>.

2) Ritchie, Donald A. "Part 1. Freedom of the Press (1700-1860)." American Journalists. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.