Journal article
The Magnate and the Muckraker: Understanding the 1924 Meetings Between John D. Rockefeller Jr and Ida Tarbell
American journalism, Vol.42(4), pp.338-353
10/02/2025
DOI: 10.1080/08821127.2025.2570022
Abstract
Functioning as the custodian of his father's memory, John D. Rockefeller Jr, solicited the advice of muckraking reporter Ida Tarbell in 1924 regarding whether and when he should publish a commissioned biography of his father. This surprising gesture occurred two decades after Tarbell's investigative series for McClure's and book, The History of the Standard Oil Company (1904), helped to expose Rockefeller's father for monopolistic practices that violated the public trust. Through historically informed textual analysis of Tarbell's transcripts of her two 1924 meetings with Rockefeller Jr and related documents, this study demonstrates that although Tarbell respected Rockefeller Sr's philanthropy, his illicit business practice continued to be a major concern for her. Her critique extended to the commissioned biography, which she saw as a disingenuous public relations project. The meetings shed new light on the meaning and utility of "secrecy" for Rockefellers senior and junior, as well as for Tarbell.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Magnate and the Muckraker: Understanding the 1924 Meetings Between John D. Rockefeller Jr and Ida Tarbell
- Creators
- Frank D. Durham - University of IowaDavid O. Dowling - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journalism, Vol.42(4), pp.338-353
- DOI
- 10.1080/08821127.2025.2570022
- ISSN
- 0882-1127
- eISSN
- 2326-2486
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Number of pages
- 16
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/02/2025
- Academic Unit
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Record Identifier
- 9985091811602771
Metrics
1 Record Views