Frank Irving Cobb (August 6, 1869 – December 21, 1923) was an American journalist, primarily aneditorial writer, from 1896 to his death. In 1904, he succeededJoseph Pulitzer as editor of the latter'sNew York World newspaper. He became famous for his editorials in support of the policies ofliberal Democrats, especiallyWoodrow Wilson, during theProgressive Era.
Cobb was born to aYankee farm family inShawnee County, Kansas, which includes the state capitalTopeka. His parents were Minor H. Cobb and Mathilda A (Née Clark) Cobb, who was the first White child born inGrand Rapids.[1] He grew up in alumber camp in Michigan. Educated at local schools with a term at the state college, at age 21, he became a cub reporter on theGrand Rapids Herald for $6 a week. He moved up to political correspondent and finally city editor. After working on the rivalGrand Rapids Daily Eagle (acquired by theGrand Rapids Press in 1892), Cobb went to a major metropolitan paper, theEvening News of Detroit, as political correspondent covering state politics. His vivid writing style and strong opinion brought a promotion to editorial writer in 1896, and chief editorial writer in 1899.
He was married first in 1897 to Delia S. Bailey and second, on October 2, 1913, to Margaret Hubbard Ayer, a well-known newspaper woman. He and Ayer were the parents of columnistHubbard Cobb.[2] He worked in New York City but retreated as often as possible to their suburban estate nearWestport, Connecticut.
Cobb was editor of theWorld for almost twenty years, from 1904 until his death from cancer on December 21, 1923. A few months later, his widow received aspecial Pulitzer Prize "awarded to the widow of the late Frank I. Cobb,New York World, in recognition of the distinction of her husband's editorial writing and service." The organization now lists it as one of theEditorial Writing Pulitzers, whichThe Boston Herald won in 1924.[3]
Cobb was an editorial writer at theDetroit Free Press from 1900 to 1904, when he was hired byJoseph Pulitzer, who owned the crusading New York City newspaperThe World, then one of the two largest papers in the country. Cobb soon became Pulitzer's chief advisor and editorial writer.
TheWorld reached the common man by a variety of news and entertainment features, and was a power in theDemocratic Party because of its liberalism and its crusades against big business and government corruption. Cobb's hard-hitting editorials were widely read and reprinted.
At the1912 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, Cobb was a leader in makingWoodrow Wilson, the intellectualGovernor of New Jersey, the Democratic nominee for president. Cobb and Wilson became lifelong allies and personal friends.
Cobb was a fiercely independent journalist who resisted Pulitzer's attempts to "run the office" from his home. However, the elder man might try, he simply could not keep from meddling with Cobb's work. Time after time, they battled, often with heated language. While they found common ground in their support ofWoodrow Wilson as president, they disagreed on many other issues. Cobb wrote a precisely worded resignation when Joseph's son took over administrative responsibility in 1907. The editorial was printed in every New York paper except forThe World. Pulitzer raged at the insult, but slowly began to respect Cobb's editorials and independent spirit. Exchanges, commentaries, and messages between them increased. The good rapport between the two was based largely on Cobb's flexibility. In May 1908, Cobb and Pulitzer met to outline plans for a consistent editorial policy. However, the editorial policy did waver on occasion. Renewed battles broke out over the most trivial matters. Pulitzer's demands for editorials on contemporary breaking news led to overwork by Cobb. Pulitzer revealed concern by sending him on a six-week tour of Europe to restore his spirit. Pulitzer died shortly after Cobb's return (in October 1911); then Cobb published Pulitzer's beautifully written resignation. Cobb retained the editorial policies he had shared with Pulitzer until he died of cancer in 1923.[4]
frank irving cobb parents.
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