Book Description

This is a biography of Bennett, the founder, editor and publisher of the New York Herald. After many failed attempts at starting a newspaper, Bennett began the Herald in May 1835. Bennett was known for a lot of journalism "firsts," including the pay-in-advance policy for advertisers, adding illustrations produced from woodcuts, and, in 1839, being granted the first exclusive interview with a United States President, Martin Van Buren. While the Herald was officially independent in its politics, Bennett endorsed William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, James K. Polk, Franklin Pierce, and John C. Frémont. He supported James Buchanan as tensions rose over slavery and endorsed John C. Breckinridge for the 1860 presidential campaign, then shifted to John Bell. He promoted George B. McClellan in 1864. Bennett favored the Union, although he opposed Abraham Lincoln, he later took the lead to turn the president into a martyr after his assassination. He favored most of Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction proposals. By the time Bennett turned control of the Herald over to his son James Jr. in 1866, it had the highest circulation in America. However, under the younger Bennetts' stewardship, the paper declined, and, after his death, it was merged with the New York Tribune.