Bennett, JAMES GORDON

Bennett, JAMES GORDON, founder and proprietor of the New York Herald, a native of Scotland, was born at Newmill, Keith, September 1, 1795. Trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood, he emigrated to America in 1819, where he became in turn teacher, proof-reader, journalist, and lecturer. He had acted as casual reporter and writer in connection with several journals, and had failed in one or two journalistic ventures, previous to the issue of the first number of the New York Herald, as an independent newspaper, May 6, 1835, price one cent. He spared no effort and expense in securing news, and laid the foundation of its after enormous success. It was the first newspaper to publish the stock lists and a daily money article. At his death, on June 1, 1872, the Herald profits were estimated at from £100,000 to £150,000 per annum.—His son, JAMES GORDON BENNETT, has shown like enterprise in the conduct of the Herald. H. M. Stanley (q.v.) was sent by him in 1870 on the mission which resulted in the finding of Livingstone; and in conjunction with the Daily Telegraph, he supplied the funds for the same explorer's extraordinary journey across Africa by way of the Congo (1874-78).