In 1855, a young editor from Ohio made a daring move to
Illinois to accept a position as an editor for the failing Chicago Tribune. His work would not only revolutionize the paper’s
editorial standpoint for years to come, but would also earn him a ticket to a
vital seat in the city’s political field. This man was Joseph Medill.
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, Medill was raised in the
state of Ohio for the majority of his childhood. Shortly after beginning his
career in Journalism he was offered a position at the Tribune, which he would
eventually accept and also become a co-owner.
Medill’s most influential work at the Tribune would be
through his editorializing of the politics of the time. His writing was pivotal during the election of
Abraham Lincoln and his strong anti-slavery outlook openly supported the Civil
War. The paper promoted the Republican Party during the election but would
later release a statement saying “The Tribune will never be the organ of any
individual, faction or ism...."
Medill would be elected as Mayor of Chicago in 1871, where
he would completely reinvent the government’s systems financially. He worked with tirelessly to help restore the city socially after the Great Fire and would eventually
establish the Chicago Public Library during his term.
Joseph Medill’s work set the cornerstones of one of America’s
most prominent newspapers today. His influence is still carried out through the
work of his grandchildren, who would go on to lead many news outlets across the
country. But what was truly inspiring about the efforts of Joseph Medill, was
not just but his vivacity for the Republican Party, but his resilient support of
opinion news, that would shape the Tribune’s partisanship for years to come. Medill’s appeal towards journalism is summed
up in his legendary last words, “What’s the news?”
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