Family Tree Tuesday – William Randolph Hearst

Newspaper tycoon and politician William Randolph Hearst was the leading newspaper publisher of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Through his newspapers and magazines, Hearst exercised enormous political influence over the American public. During the late 19th century, Hearst engaged in a bitter circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer‘s New York World, which led to the creation of yellow journalism. Nevertheless, Hearst successfully created one of the largest newspaper and magazine businesses in the world. He was also elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Hearst’s father,  George Hearst, earned millions in mining properties and by the end of the 19th century, he was one of the wealthiest men in the United States. His mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, was a philanthropist and a passionate advocate of education. Her contributions to the University of California, Berkeley were instrumental in making the university an illustrious institution.

His son, William Randolph Hearst, Jr., also found success in the newspaper business, winning a Pulitzer Prize for is interview with the Soviet premier, Nikita Kurshev.

Did you now that while he was married to his wife, Millicent, William carried on a public affair with silent film actress Marion Davies? Their relationship produced an illegitimate daughter, actress and radio comedienne Patricia Lake.

Perhaps William Hearst’s most well known and infamous grandchild is Patricia Hearst, who in 1974 was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and ultimately joined their cause. She was convicted for her participation in a bank robbery with other SLA members, and was later granted a full pardon by President Bill Clinton before he left office.

Check out William Randolph Hearst’s other interesting relatives in his family tree and see how you’re related!