Lincoln Steffens
Lincoln Steffens: A Radical Journalist and Social Critic
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#### Full Name and Common Aliases
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Full name: Lincoln Steffens
Common aliases: None
#### Birth and Death Dates
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Born on November 6, 1867
Died on August 9, 1936
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession(s): Journalist, Author, Social Critic
Early Life and Background
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Lincoln Steffens was born in San Francisco, California, to a family of modest means. His father, Michael Steffens, was a German immigrant who worked as a butcher, while his mother, Mary Ann Flynn, was an Irish-American homemaker. Steffens grew up in a household that valued education and social activism, which would later influence his own career choices.
Steffens' early life was marked by hardship and struggle. His family moved frequently during his childhood, settling in various cities across the United States, including San Francisco, Sacramento, and Denver. Despite these challenges, Steffens developed a passion for learning and writing from an early age. He began working as a journalist at the tender age of 17, writing articles for local newspapers in Sacramento.
Major Accomplishments
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Steffens' most significant contribution to American journalism was his work as a "muckraker." This term, coined by him, referred to investigative journalists who sought to expose social injustices and corruption within the government. Steffens' writing style was characterized by its directness, wit, and unflinching honesty.
Some of Steffens' most notable works include:
The Shame of Cities (1904) - a collection of articles exposing corruption in urban politics
The Struggle for Water (1907) - an investigation into the exploitation of water resources by corporations and governments
Autobiography (1931) - Steffens' memoir, which provides insight into his personal life and journalistic careerNotable Works or Actions
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Steffens was known for his radical views on social justice and politics. He was a vocal critic of capitalism and the wealthy elite, advocating for greater government regulation and economic equality.
One of Steffens' most notable actions was his visit to the Soviet Union in 1926-1927. During this trip, he met with Soviet leaders, including Lenin's widow, Krupskaya, and the Soviet premier, Kalinin. Steffens was deeply impressed by the Soviet government's efforts to address social inequality and provide basic services to its citizens.
Impact and Legacy
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Steffens' work as a journalist and social critic had a profound impact on American society during the early 20th century. His writings helped to expose corruption and inspire reform, contributing to significant changes in labor laws, taxation policies, and environmental regulations.
Today, Steffens is remembered as a pioneer of investigative journalism and a champion of social justice. His legacy continues to influence journalists and activists around the world, who seek to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Steffens' quotes and writings continue to resonate with readers today due to his unflinching honesty, sharp wit, and commitment to social justice. His work serves as a reminder of the importance of investigative journalism and the need for transparency in government and business.
Some of Steffens' most notable quotes include:
"I have never found any trouble that I could not get out of by talking it over with someone."
* "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
Quotes by Lincoln Steffens
The unknown is the province of the student; it is the field for his lifes adventure, and it is a wide field full of beckonings.
One improvement I have learned from my childhood experience with my father: I do not threaten punishment in the morning. That was awful. Late into the night I would lie awake tossing and wondering what he was going to do to me. Usually he did nothing. A quiet, impressive ‘talking to’ was all I got.
My father would invite me sweetly to come and sit on a stool at his feet, and, as I let myself trustingly down, he would gently kick the seat from under me – and laugh.
My father made with me one serious mistake which I see parents about me making. He got himself somehow into the awkward position of an authority; I thought he knew and was right on everything – for a while.
We need some great failures. Especially we ever-successful Americans – conscious, intelligent, illuminating failures.
First in violence, deepest in dirt, lawless, unlovely, ill-smelling, irreverent, new; an overgrown gawk of a – village, the “tough” among cities, a spectacle for the nation.
Somebody must take a chance. There are monkeys who became men, and the monkeys who didn’t are still jumping around in trees making faces at the monkeys who did.
In all cities, the better classes – the business men – are the sources of corruption, but they are so rarely pursued and caught that we do not fully realize whence the trouble comes.