Horace Greeley

Date of Birth: February 3, 1811

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 29, 1872

Biography

Horace Greeley was an influential American newspaper editor, politician, and founder of the New-York Tribune, which became the highest-circulating newspaper in the United States during the mid-19th century. Born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Greeley was a staunch advocate for numerous social reforms, including the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, and labor rights. His journalistic career began with apprenticeships in Vermont and New York, which led him to establish the New-York Tribune in 1841. The paper quickly gained a reputation for its progressive stances and comprehensive news coverage. Greeley was also an active politician, serving as a congressman from New York and running for President of the United States in 1872 as the Liberal Republican candidate. Despite his loss to Ulysses S. Grant, Greeley remained a significant figure in American journalism and politics until his death. His legacy includes his contributions to the press and his persistent advocacy for social justice.

5 Interesting Facts about Horace Greeley

1. Horace Greeley was a co-founder of the Liberal Republican Party.

2. He was a vocal opponent of slavery and used his newspaper to promote abolitionist causes.

3. Greeley is credited with the famous phrase “Go West, young man,” which encouraged American expansion westward.

4. He was a proponent of vegetarianism and temperance.

5. Despite his successful career, Greeley endured personal tragedies, including the loss of his wife and several children.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Horace Greeley

1. “Go West, young man, and grow up with the country.”

2. “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today will curse tomorrow, only one thing endures—character.”

3. “The darkest hour in any man’s life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.”

4. “Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.”

5. “Journalism will kill you, but it will keep you alive while you’re at it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Horace Greeley was approximately $200,000, a considerable sum during his era, largely accrued through his successful career in journalism and politics.

Children

Horace Greeley had seven children with his wife, Mary Cheney Greeley. However, only two daughters, Ida Lillian and Gabrielle, survived to adulthood. The family experienced significant hardships, with several of Greeley’s children dying in infancy or early childhood.