Ida M. Tarbell
News organizations and titles: Consulting editor, Letter, 1943-44; writing, lecturing and conference work, 1916 and after; associate editor, The American Magazine, 1906-15; writer, McClure's, 1894-1906; free-lance writer, 1891-94; managing editor, The Chautauquan, 1883-91.
Legacy: Her 19-part expos of Standard Oil for McClure's brought her fame, helped bring about the breakup of that company, and pioneered critical business reporting. But Ms. Tarbell's writings on business extended far beyond the Standard Oil opus.
Journalistic Progeny: All investigative business journalists of the 20th century.
Personal: Born Nov. 5, 1857, in Erie County, Pa.; died Jan. 7, 1944, in Bridgeport, Conn.
Family: A sister, Sarah, and two nieces.
Books: Include the 10-volume "The Nationalizing of Business"; "All in a Day's Work," her autobiography, 1939; "The Early Life of Abraham Lincoln," with W.J. McCan Davis; "Life of Abraham Lincoln," 1900.
Awards: Ms. Tarbell's "History of the Standard Oil Company" was chosen by New York University as one of the top 100 works of journalism in the 20th century.
Education: Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., B.A., 1880, and a master's degree, in 1883.
What she made news or headlines for: In addition to her Standard Oil expos, Ms. Tarbell lectured on the Chautauqua circuit. She served as a member of President Wilson's Industrial Conference in 1919 and was a member of President Harding's Unemployment Conference.
