The New York Daily News Has Closed
The New York Daily News is a beloved staple of New York’s news landscape. Founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson, the paper has won 11 Pulitzer Prizes. However, the paper has been sold to Tronc, and its newsroom has closed. While the name may be familiar, it’s not exactly what you think.
The Daily News was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson
Joseph Medill Patterson was born in 1879 and went on to work for the Chicago Tribune until he was dismissed over a disagreement with his father. He then retreated to the family farm and wrote two novels and a play. His early works were often critical of poverty and reflected his father’s drift toward socialism. In 1903, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. The Socialist Party tried to draft him as a figurehead. However, he returned to the Tribune when his father died.
The Daily News struggled with circulation in its early days. Readers lost interest, and rival publishers predicted its demise. But Patterson, whose family owned the Chicago Tribune, was determined to turn the paper into a success. The newspaper’s name changed several times, but Patterson stuck to the original formula he had created, one that was perfect for the city and the era.