Early Life
Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5th, 1864 in Cochran Mills, Pennsylvania. Her nickname was Pinky because of how much she wore the color. Her father owned a mill in her eponymous hometown but after he died when she was six, the family couldn’t inherit any of his property and they had to move. Cochran attended Indiana Teacher’s College where she added an “e” to her last name, making it “Cochrane.” She couldn’t afford to finish college so she worked with her mother. One day, Cochrane read a sexist article in The Pittsburgh Dispatch so she replied with an anonymous complaint to the paper about the way they portray women. Little did she know, that one letter would be the beginning of a long and groundbreaking career in investigative journalism.
Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5th, 1864 in Cochran Mills, Pennsylvania. Her nickname was Pinky because of how much she wore the color. Her father owned a mill in her eponymous hometown but after he died when she was six, the family couldn’t inherit any of his property and they had to move. Cochran attended Indiana Teacher’s College where she added an “e” to her last name, making it “Cochrane.” She couldn’t afford to finish college so she worked with her mother. One day, Cochrane read a sexist article in The Pittsburgh Dispatch so she replied with an anonymous complaint to the paper about the way they portray women. Little did she know, that one letter would be the beginning of a long and groundbreaking career in investigative journalism.
Journalism Career
After The Pittsburgh Dispatch received Cochrane’s letter, they published it and offered her a job working for their paper. She decided to create a pen name after a character in a Stephen Foster song she liked called “Nelly Bly.” Once she was hired however, she was assigned pieces that were solely meant for female readers such as stories on gardening and childrearing. This narrow category frustrated her, so she moved to Mexico for six months to become a special correspondent. When she returned to the US in 1886, she was offered a job at New York World. It was there that she wrote one of her most famous pieces, “Inside the Madhouse.” Bly traveled to Blackwell’s Island (now Roosevelt Island) and pretended to be mentally ill for 10 days so that she would be admitted into what was then called the Women’s Lunatic Asylum and be able to write about her experiences. One of the most shocking things Bly learned from being in the asylum was that a large percentage of the women admitted were simply immigrants who did not speak English. Nellie Bly became known for her outrageous articles that often required her to be in disguise to get information. For example, in 1887, she pretended to be a poor immigrant so she could see what being in a tenement was like. After reading the famous book "Around the World in 80 Days," Bly became inspired to travel the world herself. The New York World sponsored her trip. She made it around the world in 72 days, breaking a world record. This trip made her a household name and there was even a board game made based off her famous trip.
_2015.svg){kind=link}
_BLACKWELL%27S_ISLAND.jpg){kind=link}
After The Pittsburgh Dispatch received Cochrane’s letter, they published it and offered her a job working for their paper. She decided to create a pen name after a character in a Stephen Foster song she liked called “Nelly Bly.” Once she was hired however, she was assigned pieces that were solely meant for female readers such as stories on gardening and childrearing. This narrow category frustrated her, so she moved to Mexico for six months to become a special correspondent. When she returned to the US in 1886, she was offered a job at New York World. It was there that she wrote one of her most famous pieces, “Inside the Madhouse.” Bly traveled to Blackwell’s Island (now Roosevelt Island) and pretended to be mentally ill for 10 days so that she would be admitted into what was then called the Women’s Lunatic Asylum and be able to write about her experiences. One of the most shocking things Bly learned from being in the asylum was that a large percentage of the women admitted were simply immigrants who did not speak English. Nellie Bly became known for her outrageous articles that often required her to be in disguise to get information. For example, in 1887, she pretended to be a poor immigrant so she could see what being in a tenement was like. After reading the famous book "Around the World in 80 Days," Bly became inspired to travel the world herself. The New York World sponsored her trip. She made it around the world in 72 days, breaking a world record. This trip made her a household name and there was even a board game made based off her famous trip.
After Journalism
In 1895, 31 year old Nellie Bly married 73 year old millionaire Robert Seaman (above). He owned the Iron Clad Manufacturing Company which produced steel cans and boilers. He died 9 years after they got married due to his failing health. She then retired from journalism to take over the company. Bly actually patented several oil manufacturing inventions that are still used today. This is incredible because because it was difficult for women at this time to have any job, let alone own a massive company. Bly died from pneumonia on January 27, 1922 at the age of 57. It has been almost 155 years since Nellie Bly has died, but the impact she has had on the field of journalism and women’s rights still lives on.
In 1895, 31 year old Nellie Bly married 73 year old millionaire Robert Seaman (above). He owned the Iron Clad Manufacturing Company which produced steel cans and boilers. He died 9 years after they got married due to his failing health. She then retired from journalism to take over the company. Bly actually patented several oil manufacturing inventions that are still used today. This is incredible because because it was difficult for women at this time to have any job, let alone own a massive company. Bly died from pneumonia on January 27, 1922 at the age of 57. It has been almost 155 years since Nellie Bly has died, but the impact she has had on the field of journalism and women’s rights still lives on.