Just finished reading a book on William Randolph Hearst (The Chief by David Nasaw). I have so many thoughts about this man and history. He can lay claim to being one of the most influential/significant people of the first half of the 20th century -- he built a media empire that spanned the country, greatly influenced politics for decades (across the spectrum), was probably the most significant anti-Communist prior to McCarthy, was a great collector of antiquities, and built an incredible estate (San Simeon) -- yet most people my age or younger know almost nothing about him (excepting perhaps those whose parents trekked them out to visit San Simeon). To the extent they do, it's from having seen Citizen Kane, a movie based on Hearst's life. While the movie has a number of parallels to the public Hearst, the book suggests that the internal machinations of Hearst, that is, the real focus of the movie, is essentially fictitious.
But I guess the point of my post is that it seems amazing to me that history has already largely forgotten this man. History is of wars, and of presidents/prime ministers/kings/despots, and occasionally of the arts (though the latter is taught in different classes). Why is everyone else forgotten?
2 comments:
Perhaps Solomon had some insight into the problem ...
"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease." [Eccl. 6:1, 2]
Very few people have arisen in the history of mankind that have an endless impact ... Socrates, Shakespeare, and Jesus come to mind.
I don't fully know if Mr. Hearst has been forgotten or not Aaron? Though, currently, he certainly isn't widely known for much of what you've mentioned - William Randolph Hearst is know for one thing though… he is known for being RICH.
From what I understand, the Hearst Castle is still one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Los Angeles area. Many of the ancient statues that surround the castle were imported from Rome and Greece. And isn’t his collection the most expensive private art collection in the United States?
One thing you should remember that is that the 20th century, thanks to television, was largely dedicated to current affairs and entertainment; little literature and history has carried-over to the general masses.
Maybe we can find out more about Mr. Hearst’s life from the television shows Biography or A&E’s Americas Castles:
http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=72186
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