William Randolph Hearst.
It is usually supposed, and rightly so, that a young man who inherits much wealth is not very likely to make his mark in the world. The career of William Randolph Hearst furnishes an exception to the general rule, however, for, in spite of being handicapped by a comfortable fortune, he has achieved no small reputation as a newspaper editor and publisher. Mr. Hearst was born in San Francisco, California, and is the son of the late United States Senator George F. Hearst. He is the owner of the San Francisco Examiner and other well-known newspapers. In 1895 he bought the New York Journal, later purchasing the Advertiser and consolidating it with the Journal to secure a franchise. In 1900 he founded the Chicago American, which paper has the largest morning circulation in the city in which it is published. At present Mr. Hearst is publishing altogether five large newspapers: two in New York, two in Chicago and one in San Francisco. He is a firm believer in the theory of so-called “yellow journalism,” claiming that with its help he reaches the masses. His papers are noted chiefly for their brilliant editorials. Mr. Hearst advocates the cause of the laboring classes, is a member of congress, has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket in 1904.