15 Pioneering Female Journalists

Cover image from “The Lives of Margaret Fuller”, by John Matteson (Image via W. W. Norton & Company)

7. Margaret Fuller

By all signs, Margaret Fuller was never supposed to be a reporter. For once, she was a woman born in 1810. For many women born during that era, she seemingly had just one choice: to marry and produce children, nothing more. However, Margaret had other ideas.

Margaret (who was born as Sarah Margaret Fuller, but by age nine had insisted she be called “Margaret” instead) was an avid reader. Perhaps a little strange for the time, but initially it was nothing incredibly remarkable. However, by age 30, she become known as one of the most learned people in New England, regardless of gender. That local renown helped her forged a unique path that seemingly skirted gender norms and societal restrictions.

Fuller’s first published piece, an editorial response, appeared in the North American Review in 1834. She eventually worked for The Dial, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendentalist journal, and the New York Tribune. In fact, she was the first known full-time book reviewer in America. She also became the Tribune’s first female editor. Fuller often used an asterisk in place of a name in her byline.

But more was in store for Fuller. You see, she also became one of the earliest female foreign correspondents in journalistic history. The Tribune sent her to England and Italy, where she interviewed numerous writers and sent back a total thirty-seven reports.

Margaret also met Giovanni Ossoli, a disinherited marquis. Whether the couple ever officially married is still up for debate, but they produced a son, Angelo, and generally appeared to be happy together. Both supported a failed Italian revolution and subsequently decided to return to the United States.

However, tragedy ended the new family’s lives. Fuller, her partner, and their son all died when their ship crashed on a sandbar only fifty yards from shore near Fire Island, New York. She was richly remembered by her associates, and remains a towering figure in early American journalism to this day.