About
Henry Louis Mencken, born in Baltimore in 1880, was a major figure in American journalism and criticism. After starting at the Baltimore Morning Herald, he joined the Baltimore Sun in 1906. As co-founder and editor of influential magazines like The Smart Set and The American Mercury, he left his mark with satirical essays. His philological work, The American Language, became authoritative. Covering the Scopes trial in 1925, he helped shape its national coverage. His private diaries, published posthumously, revealed racist and anti-Semitic views, complicating his legacy.
* 1880-09-12 — † 1956-01-28
Major works
- The American Language (1919)philological study
- Prejudices (1919)essay series
- Treatise on the Gods (1930)essay
- Happy Days (1940)autobiography
- A Mencken Chrestomathy (1949)anthology
Key milestones
- 1906Joined the Baltimore Sun, with which he remained associated for most of his life.
- 1925Covered the Scopes trial in Dayton, Tennessee, for the Baltimore Evening Sun.
- 1989Posthumous publication of his private diaries, revealing racist and anti-Semitic views.
Themes
Social satireCritique of religionAmerican languageAmerican provincialismJournalism
Sources: id.loc.gov · britannica.com · oxfordreference.com