Ida M. Tarbell A Muckraker Cynthia Conway Lit 2380 Professor Jane A. Jones

Muckrakers One who spreads real or alleged scandal about another (usually for political advantage) One who spreads real or alleged scandal about another (usually for political advantage) Ida Tarbell, John S. Phillips, Lincoln Steffens Ida Tarbell, John S. Phillips, Lincoln Steffens American people were indifferent to public questions American people were indifferent to public questions In 1905 her articles marked the height of the vindictive personal attacks (Hidy et al. 703) In 1905 her articles marked the height of the vindictive personal attacks (Hidy et al. 703)

Her Life November 5, 1857 (Erie County, PA) November 5, 1857 (Erie County, PA) Author and journalist Author and journalist 1880 Graduates from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania 1880 Graduates from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania 1883 Joins the staff of The Chautauquan 1883 Joins the staff of The Chautauquan 1893 Joins McClure’s Magazine 1893 Joins McClure’s Magazine 1904 History of the Standard Oil Company 1904 History of the Standard Oil Company The Nationalizing of Business, The Nationalizing of Business, died January 6 in Bridgeport, Connecticut of pneumonia in hospital. Buried in Titusville 1944 died January 6 in Bridgeport, Connecticut of pneumonia in hospital. Buried in Titusville

Her Works Her Works

The History of Standard Oil The History of Standard Oil “hatred of privilege” “primary privilege” “hatred of privilege” “primary privilege” It helped make history It helped make history Initiated the questioning of America’s values regarding business Initiated the questioning of America’s values regarding business Her solution to the cause of malaise was “not capitalism but an open disregard of decent ethical business practices by capitalists” Her solution to the cause of malaise was “not capitalism but an open disregard of decent ethical business practices by capitalists” “It focused attention upon the alleged misdemeanors of the giant in the oil industry.” (Hidy et al. 676) “It focused attention upon the alleged misdemeanors of the giant in the oil industry.” (Hidy et al. 676)

Criticism “A fearless unmasking of moral criminality masquerading under the robes of respectability and Christianity” – Arena “A fearless unmasking of moral criminality masquerading under the robes of respectability and Christianity” – Arena “The contention… that Standard Oil ‘cut to kill’ was definitely exaggerated.” (Hidy et al. 469) “The contention… that Standard Oil ‘cut to kill’ was definitely exaggerated.” (Hidy et al. 469) “Hardly anybody alive has read it from beginning to end, all 815 pages… the book is probably the greatest work of investigative journalism ever written” (Weinberg) “Hardly anybody alive has read it from beginning to end, all 815 pages… the book is probably the greatest work of investigative journalism ever written” (Weinberg)

All in a Day’s Work “[G]o ahead, and they will get you in the end,” I was told by more than one who had come to the conclusion either from long observation or from long suffering…Even my father said, “Don’t do it, Ida…” “[G]o ahead, and they will get you in the end,” I was told by more than one who had come to the conclusion either from long observation or from long suffering…Even my father said, “Don’t do it, Ida…”

The Nationalizing of Business It is “reminiscent of the earlier work only as distant rumble of thunder signals the surely departure of a recent storm.” (Tomkins 147) It is “reminiscent of the earlier work only as distant rumble of thunder signals the surely departure of a recent storm.” (Tomkins 147) It overviews the changes in American business from 1878 – 1898 It overviews the changes in American business from 1878 – 1898 Includes rise of labor, population changes, farm problems, change via railroads. Includes rise of labor, population changes, farm problems, change via railroads.

Feminism Her stand showed her conservatism. “her innate impulse to create the new order by extending rather than eliminating the old one.” (Tomkins 100) Her stand showed her conservatism. “her innate impulse to create the new order by extending rather than eliminating the old one.” (Tomkins 100) The American Woman November 1909 –May 1910 The American Woman November 1909 –May 1910 Demonstrates the “women had not truly been overshadowed by men in America but had been coequals with them in developing American civilization.” (Tomkins 101) Demonstrates the “women had not truly been overshadowed by men in America but had been coequals with them in developing American civilization.” (Tomkins 101)

Remembrance Many articles and facsimiles Many articles and facsimiles Her landmarks Her landmarks Her stamp Her stamp October 7, 2000 Introduction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York October 7, 2000 Introduction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York

Resources Hidy, Ralph W., and Muriel E. Hidey. Pioneering in Big Business st ed. New York: Harper & Brothers, Hidy, Ralph W., and Muriel E. Hidey. Pioneering in Big Business st ed. New York: Harper & Brothers, Tomkins, Mary E. Ida M. Tarbell. Boston: Twayne Publishers, Tomkins, Mary E. Ida M. Tarbell. Boston: Twayne Publishers, Weinberg, Steve. "Ida Tarbell, Patron Saint." Columbia Journalism Review 40 (2001). 08 Dec Weinberg, Steve. "Ida Tarbell, Patron Saint." Columbia Journalism Review 40 (2001). 08 Dec 2005.