Nellie Bly
I have a new hero, Nellie Bly, 1864-1922.
Practically inventing the field of investigative journalism, her career started when she was hired at age 18 by a Pittsburgh newspaper after writing a spirited response to a sexist editorial. Driven to investigate society's ills, such as the slums and sweatshops, she would often go undercover to infiltrate them and expose their problems, which led to many reforms. She pretended to be insane and got herself admitted to a notorious insane asylum, became a purse snatcher to get an insider's look at New York's jails, and posed as a prostitute, producing an amazing story about an infamous pimp. In 1889, she attempted to ape "Around the World in 80 Days" and managed the trip in 72 days, using steamer, train, horse, burro and rickshaw. She was welcomed back with a big parade on Broadway, fireworks, and a brass band. All this before she was 30! At age 31, Bly retired from journalism and married business tycoon Robert Seaman. When he died, she ran his businesses for nearly ten years, instituting numerous reforms to benefit the workers. After retiring from business, she traveled in Europe and upon the outbreak of WWI, returned to reporting.
For more information:
Nellie Bly
Another Biography
Daredevil reporter
Complete text of her book, Around the World in 72 Days
Nellie Bly Trading Cards commemorating her circumnavigation!
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