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Cissy Patterson: The Infamous Life and Monumental Times

Felipe Blair

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Published in Newspaper Titan: The Infamous Life And Monumental Times Of Cissy Patterson

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Cissy Patterson was a pioneering American newspaper publisher who made a name for herself in the early 20th century. Her life was full of drama, controversy, and accomplishment, and her story is a fascinating one.

Newspaper Titan: The Infamous Life and Monumental Times of Cissy Patterson

by Amanda Smith

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5284 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	721 pages

Early Life and Career

Cissy Patterson was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1881. Her father, Joseph Medill Patterson, was a wealthy newspaper publisher and politician. Her mother, Elinor Medill Patterson, was a socialite and philanthropist. Cissy grew up in a privileged environment, and she received a good education. She attended finishing school in Europe and then returned to the United States to work as a reporter for her father's newspaper, the Chicago Tribune.

Cissy quickly made a name for herself as a talented journalist. She was known for her sharp wit, her keen eye for detail, and her ability to get to the bottom of a story. She also had a knack for self-promotion, and she quickly became one of the most popular reporters in the country.

Marriage and Family

In 1904, Cissy married Joseph Patterson, the son of Robert McCormick, the owner of the Chicago Tribune. The couple had two children, Elinor "Cissy" Patterson Jr. and Joseph Medill Patterson Jr. Cissy and Joseph divorced in 1923, and Cissy later married Robert McCormick's nephew, Medill McCormick. The couple had one child, Ruth McCormick.

Career Highlights

In 1922, Cissy Patterson became the publisher of the Washington Times-Herald. She was the first woman to hold such a position, and she quickly made a name for herself as a fearless publisher. She was known for her muckraking journalism, and she often used her newspaper to expose corruption and wrongng.

In 1937, Cissy Patterson founded the Denver Post. She modeled the paper after the Chicago Tribune, and it quickly became one of the most successful newspapers in the West. Cissy Patterson was a strong supporter of the New Deal, and she used her newspapers to promote the policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Cissy Patterson was a controversial figure, but she was also a brilliant journalist and a successful publisher. She was a pioneer for women in journalism, and she made a significant contribution to American journalism.

Personal Life

Cissy Patterson was a complex and fascinating woman. She was brilliant, ambitious, and driven. She was also known for her temper and her sharp tongue. Cissy Patterson was a loving mother and a loyal friend, but she could also be ruthless and unforgiving. She was a woman of contradictions, but she was always true to herself.

Death and Legacy

Cissy Patterson died in 1948 at the age of 66. She was buried in the Patterson family mausoleum in Chicago. Cissy Patterson is remembered today as one of the most important figures in American journalism. She was a pioneer for women in journalism, and she made a significant contribution to American journalism. Her story is a fascinating one, and it is one that deserves to be told.

Recommended Reading

Cissy Patterson: A Biography by Sally Bedell Smith
The Infamous Life and Monumental Times of Cissy Patterson by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Cissy Patterson: The Empress of Denver by Thomas J. Noel

Newspaper Titan: The Infamous Life and Monumental Times of Cissy Patterson

by Amanda Smith

4.3 out of 5