Grace's Journalism Blog: EOTO #1, Institutions & Publications

Henry Jarvis Raymond, born on January 24, 1820, was an American politician and journalist who is best known for his role in the creation of the New York Times, alongside George Jones. Prior to becoming a chief proprietor at the New York Times, Raymond worked as a journalist and associate editor for Horace Greeley's New York Tribune and James Watson Webb's Courier and Enquirer. Raymond's career at the New York Tribune lasted from 1841 until 1848. It was at the Tribune where Henry Raymond met his future work partner, George Jones. There, they often spoke about their shared dream of starting a newspaper company.

At the same time, Raymond also pursued a career in politics. He served as an assemblyman, lieutenant governor of New York, a member of the House of Representatives, and much more throughout the years. Most of Raymond’s critics agree that his political career lagged far behind his journalism triumphs.

Politics aside, Henry Raymond and George Jones devised a plan to create their own newspaper together in the 1840s, but for the next few years to follow, their plans remained stagnant. This was due to a lack of funds delaying their startup. Their dream was finally made into a reality on September 18, 1851, when the first issue of the New York Daily Times was published. Six years later, the New York Daily Times changed names and became known as New York Times. It was sold for the equivalent of thirty one cents at the time. The first issue announced, “we publish today the first issue of the New-York Daily Times, and we intend to issue it every morning (Sundays excepted) for an indefinite number of years to come” (The New York Times). The Times stayed true to their commitment of publishing six days a week, until the Civil War began. Then, they began printing everyday in an attempt to provide readers with extra war coverage.

Raymond and Jones created the New York Times with the intention of making it a neutral news outlet; they wanted it to be a source where readers could obtain access to unbiased information on a regular basis. According to the New York Public Library, the New York Times was designed to “fall between the sensationalism of James Gordon Bennett's New York Herald and the idealism of Greeley's Tribune.” This goal was made apparent when they expressed in their first publication that “we shall be Conservative, in all cases where we think Conservatism essential to the public good;—and we shall be Radical in everything which may seem to us to require radical treatment and radical reform. We do not believe that everything in Society is either exactly right or exactly wrong;—what is good we desire to preserve and improve;—what is evil, to exterminate, or reform” (The New York Times). Raymond and Jones sought to make the New York Times honest, impartial, and informational.

They clearly accomplished this goal, as the New York Times still exists today as one of the top newspaper companies in the entire world. Since the humble beginnings of Raymond, the New York Times has grown into a mass media company, winning over 100 Pulitzer prizes and many other honorable awards. Thank you, Henry Jarvis Raymond!