William Randolph Hearst is largely remembered today as the embodiment of yellow journalism and the subject of Citizen Kane. This timeline of the major events that shaped his life and career give only a cursory overview of a subject that could fill entire volumes. Hearst once said: “News is something somebody doesn’t want printed; all else is advertising.” Following this definition, he helped solidify journalism as an influence on public opinion (an issue just as relevant today as ever before) and brought yellow journalism to the forefront of American culture in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

When Hearst died, he left behind a one of the largest media empires in the history of the United States. From a single newspaper given to him by his father, Hearst’s conglomerate grew to include newspapers from coast to coast and radio and films that were available worldwide. Although he lost some of his power in his later years and was forced to sell some of his assets, he held onto his lifeblood: he never sold his newspapers. Hearst was only human, and therefore imperfect, but he was never afraid to take a risk or make a mistake. “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake,” he once said. “Your readers might like it.” While not entirely ethical or beneficial to journalism’s reputation, this advice certainly served Hearst well. Although yellow journalism is not held in high regard today, his death in 1951 made headlines all over the world, and people from all walks of life, including his own profession, mourned the loss. Hugh Baillie, president of the United Press Association, issued the following statement (as quoted in Hearst’s L.A. Times obituary): “One of the great figures of journalism has gone from among us. But the newspaper empire he created lives as a memorial to his genius. William Randolph Hearst originated many of the forms of daily publishing which now are familiar to all, and introduced an era of intense competition which ever since has had a stimulating effect on the enterprise and ingenuity of newspapering. His life and career are a conspicuous part of the history of our times.” All these years later, these words still ring true.

Works Cited
“From the Archives: W. R. Hearst, 88, Dies in Beverly Hills.” Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 1951. N.p. Web. 13 May 2017.

McGee, Scott. “CITIZEN KANE – Trivia and Other Fun Stuff.” Turner Classic Movies. Turner Classic Movies, 2010. Web. 13 May 2017.

Campbell, W. Joseph. “A Timeline of Yellow Journalism.” Yellow Journalism: A Timeline. American University, 2015. Web. 13 May 2017.

Schoenherr, Steve. “History of the Newsreel.” History of the Newsreel. University of San Diego, 2 Feb. 2008. Web. 13 May 2017.