Journalist. He co-founded "The San Francisco Chronicle" newspaper with his brother Charles in 1865. Initially serving as bookeeper and then treasurer, he helped turn a modest theatrical handbill into one of the nation's leading newspapers, and gained total control of "The Chronicle" after Charles De Young's murder in 1880. He continued his brother's scandal-mongering editorial policies and infuriated many of San Francisco's most influential citizens. Writer Ambrose Bierce quipped, "Hatred of De Young is the best test of a gentleman." In 1884 De Young was shot by Adolph Spreckles, son of sugar magnate Claus Spreckles, whom he had publicly criticized for unfair business practices; Spreckles was acquitted on "reasonable cause." De Young recovered from his wounds and ran the Chronicle until his death 41 years later. He built the M. H. De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, a major holder of Gold Rush-era artifacts, in 1894.
Journalist. He co-founded "The San Francisco Chronicle" newspaper with his brother Charles in 1865. Initially serving as bookeeper and then treasurer, he helped turn a modest theatrical handbill into one of the nation's leading newspapers, and gained total control of "The Chronicle" after Charles De Young's murder in 1880. He continued his brother's scandal-mongering editorial policies and infuriated many of San Francisco's most influential citizens. Writer Ambrose Bierce quipped, "Hatred of De Young is the best test of a gentleman." In 1884 De Young was shot by Adolph Spreckles, son of sugar magnate Claus Spreckles, whom he had publicly criticized for unfair business practices; Spreckles was acquitted on "reasonable cause." De Young recovered from his wounds and ran the Chronicle until his death 41 years later. He built the M. H. De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, a major holder of Gold Rush-era artifacts, in 1894.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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