The autobiography of Lincoln Steffens

The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens was published in 1931 by Harcourt, Brace during the early years of the Great Depression. Steffens, a prominent muckraking journalist known for his influential exposés on municipal corruption in American cities, composed the work as a reflective summary of his career and his evolving political philosophy. The book serves as both a memoir and a social critique, charting his transition from a believer in the American democratic system to an observer deeply disillusioned by the cyclical nature of political reform.

The design and tone of the autobiography reflect the literary standards of the era's intellectual circles. Steffens utilized his experience as a reporter to craft a narrative that felt urgent and deeply personal, capturing the atmosphere of the Progressive Era. Upon its release, the work was widely received as a significant historical document, providing a candid, albeit cynical, look at the mechanisms of power in the early twentieth century. It remains a foundational text for those studying the history of American journalism and the muckraking tradition.