ARTIST: Mathew Brady
PUBLISHER: Published by Derby & Miller & Geo & C. W. Sherwood, New York and Chicago.
MEDIUM: Stipple and line engraving.
DATE: Undated, c.1870.
EDITION SIZE: 11 1/8 x 10" (285 x 250 mm) plus title and wide margins.
DESCRIPTION: In 1869, “Harper’s Weekly” called Horace Greeley (1811-1876) "the most perfect Yankee the country has ever produced". Editor, politician, and advocate, Greeley worked his way to prominence as the founding editor of the “New York Tribune”. Established in 1841, The Tribune was one of the earliest and most popular “penny dailies”.Circulated by rail and steamboat, The Tribune became the one of the first national newspapers and exerted a massive influence on national opinion. <br><br> Greeley’s idealistic and moral positions were expressed in a clear memorable prose which easily won over his audience to his often controversial viewpoints. A devout Whig, Greenly was a die-hard advocate for human rights. He was vehemently opposed to slavery and an outspoken advocate for the working man. He supported the women’s rights and argued for widespread political and economic reform. Although not an ardent expansionist, Greeley enthusiastically supported an orderly westward movement, coining the famous phrase “Go West, young man.” <br><br> Despite a lack of political training, Greeley ran for presidency in 1872 under the Democratic banner. He lost to the Republican incumbent Ulysses S. Grant. He lost in a landslide but would never be aware of this fact. He passed away before the electoral ballots could be counted. <br><br> Considered by many as one of the greatest free thinkers of his age, Greeley was one of the most eccentric and brilliant men of his time. Brady made many portraits of Greeley, as exemplified by this fine portrait scraped by Alexander Hay Ritchie. Ritchie was a Scottish painter who established a successful career as an engraver in New York.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition. Black & white.
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