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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Chronicling America's Stories Since 1878: A Legacy in Print.

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Joseph Pulitzer's Platform

Guiding Principles

On April 10, 1907, Joseph Pulitzer articulated a profound statement of principles that would guide the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This enduring platform emphasized the newspaper's commitment to progress, reform, and unwavering public service.

Pulitzer's declaration stated:

"I know that my retirement will make no difference in its cardinal principles, that it will always fight for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfied with merely printing news, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty."

[4]

A Century of Journalism

Early Years and Foundation

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was established on December 12, 1878, when Joseph Pulitzer purchased the bankrupt St. Louis Dispatch and merged it with the St. Louis Evening Post. Under Pulitzer's dynamic leadership and the editorial direction of John A. Cockerill, the paper quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to investigative reporting and public advocacy.

A notable early incident involved a fatal confrontation between Cockerill and Alonzo W. Slayback in 1882, highlighting the intense and often perilous environment of late 19th-century journalism.[6][7] The paper was also among the first to feature a color comics section, enhancing its appeal to a broad readership.

20th Century Milestones

Throughout the 20th century, the Post-Dispatch maintained a significant presence in national journalism. It operated one of the largest news bureaus in Washington D.C. among Midwestern newspapers.[8] The paper was a prominent critic of President Harry S. Truman and gained international recognition for publishing the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1946.[10]

The newspaper's editorial page was renowned for its influential columnists and political cartoons by Pulitzer Prize winners Daniel R. Fitzpatrick and Bill Mauldin. In 1959, it entered a joint operating agreement with the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, eventually becoming the sole daily newspaper in the region after the Globe-Democrat ceased publication in 1983.[12]

21st Century Evolution

The Post-Dispatch continued its legacy into the 21st century, marked by significant anniversaries and adaptations to the evolving media landscape. In 2005, Lee Enterprises acquired Pulitzer, Inc., including the Post-Dispatch, for $1.46 billion.[2]

The paper transitioned to a compact format in 2009 and has faced industry-wide challenges, including staff reductions and the outsourcing of printing operations. Despite these shifts, it has continued to be recognized for its journalistic achievements, including a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography for its coverage of the Ferguson protests in 2015.[19]

Circulation Trends

Readership Figures

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported fluctuating circulation figures over the years, reflecting broader trends in the newspaper industry. As of recent filings:

  • September 30, 2016: 98,104 daily, 157,543 on Sunday.[23]
  • 2023 Data: 99,618 Daily, 109,407 Sunday.[2]

In 2017, the paper reported reaching over 792,600 readers weekly, with its website, stltoday.com, generating approximately 67 million page views monthly.[24]

The Iconic Weatherbird

A Daily Forecast Companion

Introduced on February 11, 1901, the "Weatherbird" is a distinctive front-page cartoon that accompanies the daily weather forecast. It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously published cartoon in the United States.

Originally drawn by Harry B. Martin, the Weatherbird has been illustrated by a succession of artists, including Oscar Chopin, S. Carlisle Martin, Amadee Wohlschlaeger (who first rendered it in color), Albert Schweitzer, and Dan Martin. This enduring feature has become a beloved and recognizable element of the Post-Dispatch's identity.[25]

Notable Contributors

Journalists, Cartoonists, and Editors

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has been home to numerous influential figures in journalism and the arts. Their contributions have shaped the paper's voice and national reputation.

  • Joseph Pulitzer: Founder and publisher.
  • John A. Cockerill: Early managing editor.
  • Daniel R. Fitzpatrick: Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist.
  • Bill Mauldin: Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist.
  • Marquis Childs: Influential columnist.
  • Bob Broeg: Hall of Fame baseball writer.
  • Rick Hummel: Hall of Fame baseball writer.
  • Amadee Wohlschlaeger: Cartoonist, known for the Weatherbird.
  • Gilbert Bailon: Former editor.
  • Derrick Goold: Author and sportswriter.
  • William Woo: Journalist and editor-in-chief.
  • Marguerite Martyn: Reporter and artist.

This list represents a fraction of the talent that has contributed to the paper's storied history.

References

Source Material

The content presented here is derived from the Wikipedia article on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Detailed citations are managed by the platform.

Further Exploration

Recommended Reading

For deeper insights into the history and impact of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, consider the following scholarly works:

  • McWilliams, Jim. Mark Twain in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1874โ€“1891.
  • Merrill, John C. and Harold A. Fisher. The world's great dailies: profiles of fifty newspapers.
  • Pfaff, Daniel W. Joseph Pulitzer II and the Post-Dispatch: A Newspaperman's Life.
  • Rammelkamp, Julian S. Pulitzer's Post-Dispatch, 1878โ€“1883.
  • Ross, Charles G. and Carlos F. Hurd. The Story of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • Johns, Orrick. Time of Our Lives: The Story of My Father and Myself.
  • Martin, Dan. The story of the First 100 Years of the St. Louis Post Dispatch Weatherbird.

Archival Access

Finding Aids at St. Louis Public Library

Access to historical materials related to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is available through the St. Louis Public Library's Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

  • Absher, Frank. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Series: 1878-2014.
  • Short, Jim. Post-Dispatch Notebook, Series: 1950-1957.
  • Kuchner, Vivian. St. Louis Post-Dispatch TV Magazine, Series: 1956-1981.

Authority Control

Identifiers

Standardized identifiers link this entity to various databases for consistent cataloging and research.

  • National Library of Congress: n50073971
  • National Library of Israel: 987007289141805171
  • SNAC Cooperative: ark:/99166/w6ps8ntm

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References

References

  1.  Shepley, Carol Ferring. Movers and Shakers, Scalawags and Suffragettes: Tales from Bellefontaine Cemetery. Missouri History Museum: St. Louis, 2008.
A full list of references for this article are available at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional journalistic, historical, or media consultation. Always refer to the official St. Louis Post-Dispatch archives and consult with qualified professionals for specific research needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.