William Radndolf Hearst built up the largest newspaper chain in America and greatly influenced the methods of American journalism today
William Randolph Hearst was born on April 29, 1863, in San Francisco, California.
He died on August 14, 1951 in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 88
Hearst built up his newspaper the New York Journal, and helped give rise to yellow journaliam. Along with his newspapers he had several magazines, published books, and produced motion pictures. He also surved twice in the House of Representatives. He even got himself a castle covering 68,500 square feet.
Hearst married Millicent Veronica Willson in 1903. The two had five sons: George Randolph Hearst, William Randolph Hearst Jr., John Randolph Hearst, and twins Randolph Apperson Hearst and David Whitmire (né Elbert Willson) Hearst.
Hearst's father, George Hearst invested some of his fortune in land. In 1865 he purchased about 30,000 acres, part of Rancho Piedra Blanca stretching from Simeon Bay and reached to Ragged Point. Hearst continued to buy parcels whenever they became available, buying most of Rancho San Simeon. He bought all of Rancho Santa Rosa totaling 13,184 acres, except one section of 160 acres that Estrada lived on. He also bought several other peices of land.
Hearst colected a extensive collection of international art that spanned centuries. Most notable in his collection were his Greek vases, Spanish and Italian furniture, Oriental carpets, Renaissance vestments, an extensive library with many books signed by their authors, and paintings and statues. In addition to collecting pieces of fine art, he also gathered manuscripts, rare books, and autographs.