Ida Tarbell

Date of Birth: November 5, 1857

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: January 6, 1944

Biography

Ida Minerva Tarbell was an American journalist, lecturer, and chronicler, best known for her pioneering investigative reporting that led to the breakup of the Standard Oil Company’s monopoly. Born on November 5, 1857, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, Tarbell developed a passion for writing and history at a young age. She attended Allegheny College, where she was the only woman in her graduating class in 1880. Tarbell initially pursued a career in teaching before moving into journalism. Tarbell gained national fame for her series of articles on the Standard Oil Company, published in McClure’s Magazine from 1902 to 1904. These articles, which detailed the unethical practices of John D. Rockefeller’s empire, were compiled into a book titled “The History of the Standard Oil Company,” widely regarded as a landmark in investigative journalism. Her work not only influenced public opinion but also led to legal reforms and the eventual dismantling of the Standard Oil monopoly. Throughout her career, Tarbell wrote numerous books and articles, focusing on historical and biographical subjects. She was a prominent lecturer and advocate for various social causes, including women’s suffrage and labor rights. Tarbell remained active in her field until her death on January 6, 1944, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential journalists in American history.

5 Interesting Facts about Ida Tarbell

1. Ida Tarbell was the only woman in her graduating class at Allegheny College in 1880.

2. Her series on Standard Oil is considered one of the first examples of modern investigative journalism.

3. Tarbell’s work contributed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to break up Standard Oil in 1911.

4. She wrote a total of 20 books throughout her career.

5. Tarbell was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ida Tarbell

1. “Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it, none exists – with it, all things are possible.”

2. “There is no permanent place in this universe for evil.”

3. “The whole force of the respectable circles to which we belong is against any change.”

4. “The people who make history are not the people who make it who suffer, but the people who suffer who make it.”

5. “Rockefeller and his associates did not build Standard Oil Co. in the boardrooms of Wall Street. They fought their way to control by rebates, drawbacks, and other methods.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Ida Tarbell’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a successful journalist and author of her time, she earned a comfortable living through her writings and lectures.