author
Edwin Lawrence Godkin
1831–1902
An Irish-born journalist who became one of the sharpest voices in American public life, he founded The Nation and helped shape serious political commentary in the late 19th century.
1 Audiobook
Reflections and Comments 1865-1895
by Edwin Lawrence Godkin
About the author
Born in County Wicklow, Ireland, on October 2, 1831, Edwin Lawrence Godkin studied at Queen’s College, Belfast, trained in law, and worked in journalism before moving to the United States in 1856. Early in his career he also reported on the Crimean War, building the clear, analytical style that later made him widely respected.
Godkin is best remembered as the founder of The Nation in 1865, a magazine created to bring independent, high-minded political criticism to American readers. He later became editor-in-chief of the New York Evening Post, where his editorials earned a reputation for intelligence, seriousness, and a strong reforming spirit.
He died on May 21, 1902, in Devon, England, but his influence lasted well beyond his lifetime. For listeners interested in the history of journalism, public debate, and American political thought, he stands out as a fierce advocate for honest criticism and informed opinion.