Horace Greeley

Horacegreeleybirthplace1

Greeley_arrives_in_New_York

1840sGreeley

New_York_Tribune_editorial_staff_by_Brady

Horace_Greeley_1961_issue

Horace_Greeley_by_Rockwood,_1869

Eat_own_words

Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley, c. 1860
Born	(1811-02-03)February 3, 1811 Amherst, New Hampshire, U.S.
Died	November 29, 1872(1872-11-29) (aged 61) Pleasantville, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Newspaper editor, politician
Known for	Founding the New-York Tribune
Spouse(s)	Mary Young Cheney
Children	7
Signature
150px

Horace Greeley (February 3, 1811 – November 29, 1872) was an American newspaper editor and politician who was the founder and editor of the New-York Tribune, among the most influential newspapers of the mid-19th century. He was also a U.S. Representative from New York and a candidate for President of the United States in the 1872 election.

Early Life

Horace Greeley was born on February 3, 1811, in Amherst, New Hampshire. He was the son of Zaccheus Greeley and Mary Woodburn Greeley. His family faced financial difficulties, which led them to move several times during his childhood. Despite these hardships, Greeley was an avid reader and showed an early interest in journalism.

Career

Journalism

In 1831, Greeley moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism. He worked for several publications before founding the New-York Tribune in 1841. The Tribune quickly became one of the leading newspapers in the United States, known for its advocacy of social reform, including the abolition of slavery and the promotion of women's rights.

Politics

Greeley was also active in politics. He was a member of the Whig Party and later the Republican Party. He served briefly as a U.S. Representative from New York in 1848-1849. In 1872, he ran for President of the United States as the candidate of the Liberal Republican Party and the Democratic Party, but he was defeated by incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant.

Personal Life

Greeley married Mary Young Cheney in 1836, and they had seven children, although only two survived to adulthood. Greeley was known for his eccentric personality and his strong opinions on various social issues.

Death

Horace Greeley died on November 29, 1872, in Pleasantville, New York, just a few weeks after losing the presidential election. He is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Legacy

Greeley's legacy is marked by his contributions to journalism and his advocacy for social reforms. His famous advice, "Go West, young man," encapsulated his belief in the opportunities available in the American frontier.

Related Pages

• New-York Tribune
• Ulysses S. Grant
• Liberal Republican Party (United States)
• Whig Party (United States)
• Republican Party (United States)
• Abolitionism in the United States
• Women's rights