Benjamin Perley Poore

1820–1887 (age 67)

Journalist

Biography

Benjamin Perley Poore, born in 1820, became one of the nation's respected journalists, chronicling Congressional debates and the pressing events of his day with clarity and fairness. His columns and reports helped readers across the country navigate a turbulent era, while his insistence on accuracy and concision made him a model for reporters who followed.

He balanced his professional demands with a warm engagement with community life, encouraging young writers and defending the role of the press as a steward of public understanding. His voice may have fallen silent in 1887, but the influence of his work on the craft of journalism endures.