Documenting the Life of Lincoln Steffens

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Lincoln Steffens (April 6, 1866 – August 9, 1936) was an American journalist who was a leading figure in the investigation of municipal corruption and was a major contributor to the muckraker movement during the Progressive Era of the early 20th century. Throughout his career, Steffens covered a wide range of topics, from labor abuses to the plight of immigrants to the effects of the industrial revolution. He was an early advocate for social reform and a strong believer in free speech and civil liberties.

Steffens was born in San Francisco, California, and studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in New York City, where he worked for several publications, including the New York Evening Post and the New York Morning Journal. He later moved to St. Louis and worked as an investigative reporter for the St. Louis Star. At the Star, Steffens wrote about the corruption in the city’s government and the abuses of power by powerful politicians.

In 1906, Steffens wrote a series of articles for McClure’s Magazine titled “The Shame of the Cities”, which exposed the corruption and graft in several major cities in the United States. The articles caused a sensation and brought Steffens national fame. He later wrote several other influential articles and books, including The Struggle for Self-Government (1902) and The Shame of the Nation (1904).

Steffens was also a major figure in the early 20th-century progressive movement. He was a close associate of President Theodore Roosevelt and a friend and mentor of journalist Walter Lippmann. He was also a vocal advocate for the rights of labor unions, immigrants, and African Americans. Steffens was a committed socialist who believed in the power of government to create a more equitable society.

Steffens’ work has been preserved in several archives, including the Lincoln Steffens Papers at the University of California, Berkeley. The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and other documents related to Steffens’ life and work, as well as his personal writings and speeches. His work can be found in many books, including his autobiography, Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens (1931).



Lincoln Steffens was a pioneering investigative journalist and a major contributor to the progressive movement. He was an advocate for social reform, civil liberties, and the rights of labor unions and immigrants. His work has been preserved in several archives, including the Lincoln Steffens Papers at the University of California, Berkeley. His writing and speeches have inspired generations of journalists, activists, and reformers.

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