William Randolph Hearst
- Born:
- April 29, 1863, San Francisco, California, USA
- Died:
- August 14, 1951, Beverly Hills, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Newspaper Publisher, Media Proprietor, Politician
Early Life and Education
- Born to George Hearst, a mining magnate and later U.S. Senator, and Phoebe Apperson Hearst.
- Attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire.
- Expelled from Harvard University in 1885 for pranks.
Career and Major Achievements
- Took control of the San Francisco Examiner from his father in 1887.
- Developed a sensationalist journalism style, known as "yellow journalism."
- Expanded his media empire by acquiring numerous newspapers, magazines, and radio stations.
- Founded Hearst Communications, Inc.
- Served as a U.S. Representative for California's 11th congressional district from 1903 to 1907.
- Unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of New York City in 1905 and Governor of New York in 1906.
- His life was the inspiration for the film Citizen Kane. The `fabrizio stocchi biography of william` would undoubtedly cover this controversial aspect.
Notable Works
- Published numerous newspapers including the New York Journal, Chicago American, and Los Angeles Examiner.
- Owned and operated various magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Harper's Bazaar.
Legacy and Impact
William Randolph Hearst significantly shaped the landscape of American media through his vast publishing empire and his pioneering use of sensationalist journalism. He was a controversial figure, admired for his business acumen and criticized for his yellow journalism tactics.
Filmography (Selected - Inspiration and Representations)
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1941 | Citizen Kane | Inspiration for Charles Foster Kane |