Definition

Proper noun: * Lincoln Steffens: A United States journalist. He is historically significant for his investigative reporting in 1906, which is credited with initiating a period in American journalism known as "muckraking," characterized by exposing corruption and social ills.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Lincoln Steffens was a pioneer of investigative journalism.
  • The works of Lincoln Steffens helped shape public opinion during the Progressive Era.
  • Many historians study the impact of Lincoln Steffens.

Advanced Usage

• "Steffens": Often used alone as a shortened reference to the journalist, particularly in historical or journalistic contexts.
  • Steffens famously wrote The Shame of the Cities.

Variants and Related Words

• Muckraker (n): A journalist who searches for and exposes misconduct. Lincoln Steffens is a quintessential example of a muckraker.
  • The muckrakers, including Steffens, sought to provoke social reform.
• Muckraking (n/adj): The action or practice of exposing scandal, especially by journalists.
  • The muckraking articles led to new legislation.

Synonyms

• Investigative journalist
• Exposé writer
• Reform journalist

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "The Shame of the Cities": The title of Lincoln Steffens' famous 1904 collection of articles, often used to refer to his body of work or the concept of municipal corruption he exposed.
  • "The Shame of the Cities" remains a classic text of muckraking journalism.

Noun

1. United States journalist whose exposes in 1906 started an era of muckraking journalism (1866-1936)