Arunah S. Abell
Arunah S. Abell was a significant figure in American journalism, best known as the founder, editor, and publisher of the Baltimore Sun. Born in Rhode Island in the early nineteenth century, Abell started his career in the printing industry at a young age after leaving school. He played a crucial role in establishing the Baltimore Sun, which became one of the leading newspapers in the region. Under his leadership, the Sun adopted a publishing philosophy that emphasized news relevance and accessibility, prioritizing stories that directly impacted its readership.
Abell's innovative use of technology, such as the telegraph and high-speed presses, helped transform the economics of newspaper publishing, allowing the Sun to offer lower prices than its competitors. His forward-thinking approach extended even to the architectural design of the newspaper's building, which was a pioneer in utilizing columnar support systems. The Baltimore Sun garnered multiple Pulitzer Prizes, solidifying its reputation in journalism. Even after his death in the late nineteenth century, Abell's legacy continued, as a Liberty Ship during World War II was named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on the industry and society.
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Arunah S. Abell
Publisher
- Born: August 10, 1806
- Birthplace: East Providence, Rhode Island
- Died: April 19, 1888
- Place of death: Baltimore, Maryland
Biography
Arunah S. Abell, famous as the editor, publisher, and founder of the Baltimore Sun, was born Arunah Shepherdson Abell in Rhode Island during the early nineteenth century. Abell’s first experience with the press was as a printer. He left school at fourteen years old, and took a job as a clerk while he applied to be a journeyman printer. He was eventually accepted by the Providence.
The Baltimore Sun was one of two papers in the Baltimore Sun Company retinue of newspapers. The Sun started out with just a few employees, including Abell and two other founding investors; in fact, Abell helped to set the type for some of the first editions. Abell’s publishing philosophy on news contributed to the development of news reporting. The Sun published news that directly affected the readers. The paper took advantage of the expanding technology of the Industrial Revolution, employing the use of telegraph, high-speed presses, and underwater cable. The cost of the paper for the Sun’s readers was significantly smaller than that of their competitors’ as a result, changing the economics of the newspapers business and the publishing industry’s approach to news publishing. The application of accessibility and relevancy to other aspects of the Sun’s operations was even reflected in the building’s architecture; it was the first to replace iron with columnar support in a tall building, a structure that greatly decreased costs. The Sun became a multiple award winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Although Abell died in the late nineteenth century, he so shaped the nation that during WWII, Abell’s name graced one of the Liberty Ships, the Arunah S. Abell.