Joseph Pulitzer was an American newspaper editor and publisher who helped establish the pattern of the modern newspaper. In his time he was one of the most powerful journalists in the United States (Encyclopedia Britannica). The Pulitzer Prizes, which are awards for achievement in American journalism, music or literature, the most prestigious awards for journalists, are named after him.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Pulitzer came to America in 1864. An interesting fun fact is that he fought briefly in the Civil War for the Union. He then began a truly remarkable career in journalism and publishing.

At age 25, Pulitzer became a publisher and there followed a series of shrewd business deals from which he emerged in 1878 as the owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and became a rising figure on the journalistic scene. He also endowed the journalism school at Columbia University.

In 1883, Pulitzer purchased the New York World for an estimated $300,000. He promised to use the paper to expose fraud, fight all public evils and abuses, and battle for the people with sincerity.

The Columbia School of Journalism was founded in 1912, one year after his death. The first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded in 1917 under the supervision of the advisory board to which he had entrusted his mandate.

Joseph Pulitzer made journalism what it is today. Pulitzer was “determined to make it appealing to the public; he published investigative articles and editorials that assailed government corruption, wealthy tax-dodgers, and gamblers. The approach was effective, and the paper prospered with circulation reaching new heights.” Pulitzer was one of the first journalists to involve politics in newspaper writing.

If you are an aspiring journalist, Joseph Pulitzer is the perfect person to model your writing after. Many of the most well-rounded and respected journalists in today’s media got their start by reading Pulitzer’s work and doing the best they can to get inside the brain of this journalistic genius.