Indiana Magazine of History

[Rob Wick]

Thanks everyone.

At this point, I'm focusing on articles in order to show publishers that I have the ability to complete a book-length study. I've got another started that will study the relationship between Tarbell and Albert J. Beveridge. Beveridge had a special dislike for Tarbell, turning her name into a verb. He often referred to people trying to "Tarbellize" the study of Lincoln.

Tarbell hated the term muckraker. She considered herself, first and foremost, a historical writer or biographer. Of course, like many things, the term stuck to those of that era. Although Tarbell didn't hold too many grudges, I think that's a tangential reason she didn't support Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 presidential election, given that Roosevelt was the one who first referred to the journalists of that era as muckrakers. Of course, her support for Woodrow Wilson is far more complex, but I've always believed the speech TR gave played a small role.

Best
Rob