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Born in September 12, 1880 / Died in January 29, 1956 / United States / English

Career

Other info : Bibliography

After six years at the Herald, which was purchased in June 1906 by Charles H. Grasty, owner/editor of The News since 1892 and competing owner/publisher Gen. Felix Agnus, of the town's oldest (since 1773) and largest daily The Baltimore American who proceeded to divide up the staff, assets and resources of The Herald between them, less than two and a half years after the Fire. Mencken then moved to The Baltimore Sun, where he worked for Charles H. Grasty. He continued to contribute to The Sun, The Evening Sun (founded 1910) and The Sunday Sun full-time until 1948, when he ceased to write there following a stroke.

Mencken began writing the editorials and opinion pieces that made his name. On the side, he wrote short stories, a novel, and even poetry–which he later revealed. In 1908, he became a literary critic for the magazine The Smart Set, and in 1924, he and George Jean Nathan founded and edited The American Mercury, published by Alfred A. Knopf. It soon developed a national circulation and became highly influential on college campuses across America. In 1933, Mencken resigned as editor.