Ida M. TarbellIda M. Tarbell

A MuckrakerA Muckraker

Cynthia ConwayCynthia ConwayLit 2380Lit 2380

Professor Jane A. JonesProfessor Jane A. Jones

MuckrakersMuckrakers

One who spreads real or One who spreads real or alleged scandal about another alleged scandal about another (usually for political advantage) (usually for political advantage)

Ida Tarbell, John S. Phillips, Ida Tarbell, John S. Phillips, Lincoln SteffensLincoln Steffens

American people were American people were indifferent to public questionsindifferent to public questions

In 1905 her articles marked the In 1905 her articles marked the height of the vindictive height of the vindictive personal attacks (Hidy et al. personal attacks (Hidy et al. 703) 703)

Her LifeHer Life November 5, 1857 (Erie County, PA) November 5, 1857 (Erie County, PA) Author and journalistAuthor and journalist 1880 Graduates from Allegheny College, 1880 Graduates from Allegheny College,

Meadville, PennsylvaniaMeadville, Pennsylvania 1883 Joins the staff of 1883 Joins the staff of The ChautauquanThe Chautauquan 1893 Joins 1893 Joins McClure’s MagazineMcClure’s Magazine 1904 1904 History of the Standard Oil CompanyHistory of the Standard Oil Company 1936 1936 1936 1936 The Nationalizing of Business, The Nationalizing of Business,

1878-18981878-1898 1944 died January 6 in Bridgeport, 1944 died January 6 in Bridgeport,

Connecticut of pneumonia in hospital. Connecticut of pneumonia in hospital. Buried in TitusvilleBuried in Titusville

Her WorksHer Works

The History of Standard OilThe History of Standard Oil ““hatred of privilege” “primary hatred of privilege” “primary

privilege”privilege” It helped make historyIt helped make history Initiated the questioning of Initiated the questioning of

America’s values regarding business America’s values regarding business Her solution to the cause of malaise Her solution to the cause of malaise

was “not capitalism but an open was “not capitalism but an open disregard of decent ethical business disregard of decent ethical business practices by capitalists”practices by capitalists”

““It focused attention upon the It focused attention upon the alleged misdemeanors of the giant in alleged misdemeanors of the giant in the oil industry.” (Hidy et al. 676) the oil industry.” (Hidy et al. 676)

CriticismCriticism

““A fearless unmasking of moral criminality A fearless unmasking of moral criminality masquerading under the robes of masquerading under the robes of respectability and Christianity” – respectability and Christianity” – ArenaArena

““The contention… that Standard Oil ‘cut to The contention… that Standard Oil ‘cut to kill’ was definitely exaggerated.” (Hidy et al. kill’ was definitely exaggerated.” (Hidy et al. 469) 469)

““Hardly anybody alive has read it from Hardly anybody alive has read it from beginning to end, all 815 pages… the book is beginning to end, all 815 pages… the book is probably the greatest work of investigative probably the greatest work of investigative journalism ever written” (Weinberg)journalism ever written” (Weinberg)

All in a Day’s WorkAll in a Day’s Work

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

The Nationalizing of The Nationalizing of BusinessBusiness

It is “reminiscent of the earlier work It is “reminiscent of the earlier work only as distant rumble of thunder only as distant rumble of thunder signals the surely departure of a signals the surely departure of a recent storm.” (Tomkins 147)recent storm.” (Tomkins 147)

It overviews the changes in American It overviews the changes in American business from 1878 – 1898business from 1878 – 1898

Includes rise of labor, population Includes rise of labor, population changes, farm problems, change via changes, farm problems, change via railroads.railroads.

FeminismFeminism

Her stand showed her conservatism. “her Her stand showed her conservatism. “her innate impulse to create the new order by innate impulse to create the new order by extending rather than eliminating the old extending rather than eliminating the old one.” (Tomkins 100)one.” (Tomkins 100)

The American WomanThe American Woman November 1909 – November 1909 –May 1910May 1910

Demonstrates the “women had not truly Demonstrates the “women had not truly been overshadowed by men in America been overshadowed by men in America but had been coequals with them in but had been coequals with them in developing American civilization.” developing American civilization.” (Tomkins 101)(Tomkins 101)

RemembranceRemembrance

Many articles and Many articles and facsimiles facsimiles

Her landmarksHer landmarks Her stampHer stamp October 7, 2000 October 7, 2000

Introduction into Introduction into the National the National Women’s Hall of Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Fame in Seneca Falls, New YorkFalls, New York

ResourcesResources Hidy, Ralph W. , and Muriel E. Hidey. Hidy, Ralph W. , and Muriel E. Hidey.

Pioneering in Big Business 1882-1911Pioneering in Big Business 1882-1911. 1st . 1st ed. New York: Harper & Brothers , 1955. ed. New York: Harper & Brothers , 1955.

Tomkins, Mary E. Tomkins, Mary E. Ida M. TarbellIda M. Tarbell. Boston: . Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1974. Twayne Publishers, 1974.

Weinberg, Steve. "Ida Tarbell, Patron Weinberg, Steve. "Ida Tarbell, Patron Saint." Saint." Columbia Journalism ReviewColumbia Journalism Review 40 40 (2001). 08 Dec 2005 (2001). 08 Dec 2005 <http://web3.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/inf<http://web3.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/210/421/103581048w3/omark/210/421/103581048w3/purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A75084875&dyn=3!purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A75084875&dyn=3!xrn_1_0_A75084875?xrn_1_0_A75084875?sw_aep=lincclin_mcc>. sw_aep=lincclin_mcc>.