Charles A Dana, born August 8, 1819, was a
significant figure in American journalism during the 19th century.
He was enrolled in Harvard University in 1839, but left in 1841 due to a lack
of money and poor eyesight. Inspired by his desire for social change, Dana
joined a utopian community known as the Brook Farm Community.
After leaving the failed utopia due to his
frustration with the lack of real social change, Charles Dana’s journalism
career flourished. In 1847 he joined the staff of the New York Tribune.
In 1849, due to his powerful writing and dedication to the paper, he became the
managing editor of the Tribune. He actively espoused anti-slavery
sentiments during his time as managing editor.
After conflicts with Tribune publisher Horace
Greeley, Dana was asked to resign from the publication. After his resignation,
Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton offered Dana employment in the U.S.
government. He became a special investigating agent for the U.S. during the
Civil War.
In the latter years of his life, Dana became the
owner and publisher of the New York Sun. His editorials were merciless
and brutal, whereas his staff’s writing was often witty and bright. Dana wrote
controversial editorials that took sides on issues like the impeachment of
Andrew Johnson. Unlike his early years, full of idealism and ideas of utopias,
his days as the editor for the Sun were full of cynicism.
The New York Sun, still under the leadership
of Dana, became a fiercely independent paper. Dana became disillusioned with
both parties, which was obvious as the Sun continually supported 3rd
party candidates. The Sun would continue to criticize both major parties
until Dana’s death in 1897. His steely resolve for hard-hitting and opinionated
journalism was evident until the end of his life.
Sources:
Ritchie, Donald A. American Journalists:
Getting the Story. New York: Oxford UP, 1997. Print.
"Charles A. Dana (American
Journalist)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013.
"Spartacus Educational." Charles
Dana : Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2013.
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