Early Encounters with Journalism

Abstract

Long before he entered politics in 1910, Woodrow Wilson was a man of letters and an orator of uncommon ability. His writing and speeches brought him early press attention and public stature. It was also during his early career, even before he became president of Princeton University in 1902, that he developed his basic views about public opinion and democratic government as well as the intention to exercise an influence in national political life. While yet a student, he explained his goals to Ellen Axson, his future wife. “I have a passion for interpreting great thoughts to the world; I should be complete if I could inspire a great movement of opinion, if I could read the experiences of the past into the practical life of men of today and so communicate the thought to the minds of the great mass of the people as to impel them to great political achievements.”1 This was heady speculation for a young man, but he pursued it with rare determination. His interest in public opinion, national political life, and the art of communication, all factors that led him to take the press into account, long predated his entrance into politics. In fact, during those early years, he associated with journalists and journalism to a greater degree than is normally supposed.KeywordsEarly CareerIntimate FriendLiterary StyleEarly EncounterPolitical NewsThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.