Four generations of Pulitzers were involved in what became the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Through the decades the We have noted Pulitzer I (1847-1911). names “Pulitzer” and Pulitzer II brought the daily national recognition. The “St. Louis” have become second Joseph Pulitzer was born in New York City in 1885. synonymous. It all began He died in St. Louis in 1955. He kept up with the times, in 1865 when the first Joseph acquiring radio station KSD in 1922 and KSD-TV in 1947. Pulitzer, an emigrant from Pulitzer II was concerned with the editing phase. With Hungary, reached St. Louis an “independent streak,” he received such fame that some following brief Civil War felt “He left a greater impression on American journalism service. than did his illustrious father.” Pulitzer II hated anything There were four that he considered unjust or corrupt. Joseph Pulitzer I generations of Pulitzers The third Joseph involved in what became the Pulitzer was St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Pulitzer learned newspapering on associated with the Westliche Post, the city’s top German-language paper. the newspaper By 1878 he owned the Dispatch, which he later merged with until his death in the Post. 1993 at age 80. From the start, Pulitzer’s goal was to produce an “organ He expanded the of truth” that would “advocate principles and ideas rather operations, adding Pulitzer Prize Medals than prejudices and partisanship.” Crusading became newspapers, and a major objective, with campaigns designed to help the television and radio stations across America. The Post- poorer residents in the city. Dispatch continued to grow while its competitors, the Sun- A few years later Pulitzer was enroute to Europe and Times and Globe-Democrat, folded. while in New York acquired The World, which he turned Pulitzer III, a Harvard graduate in the fine arts, began into the nation’s top publication of its time. as a reporter, served in World War II, and then came to Pulitzer was the first to call for the training of St. Louis. The Arts and Educational Council of St. Louis journalists at the university level. And at his death, he presented him its lifetime achievement award for his established the Pulitzer contributions to contemporary art. Prizes as an “incentive The fourth Joseph Pulitzer, the great-grandson of to excellence.” the founder, published the Post-Dispatch as well and Since several stepped down in 1995 after a long, successful career generations of in management involving marketing, promotion, men were named purchasing, specialty publications and alternate delivery “Joseph” it became systems. difficult to keep Here is a family of four generations, with each them straight. man pushing the operations farther ahead — and each Biographer Daniel generation following in the footsteps of the founder. Pfaff numbered — Written by Dr. William H. Taft, them. Missouri Press Association Historian