Newspaper and magazine writer and editor, muckraker, and female: Ida Tarbell was an exception to many of her own rules, but she succeeded in making a mark on the journalist profession. In a time when corporations were increasingly corrupt, and the goal of newspapers was to print outrageous stories, Ida Tarbell played a major role in the exposing of fraudulent activities. Tarbell set high standards for future journalists. Ida Tarbell's life led her down a path, which established her as a well respected journalist, muckraker, and woman (Ida Tarbell). .
Ida Tarbell's foundation for greatness was set early on. She was born on November 5th 1857 in Erie County Pa. Her father was an oil producer who was worried by oil-refineries. Ida denied that her father's situation influenced her later works (Filler). As the sole woman from Allegheny College's graduating class of 1880, Ida began an intellectual journey that many women then did not have the opportunity to take (Lowrie). After receiving her education, Ida became the editor for the Chautauga Literary and Scientific Circle, but left that position behind for Paris in 1891 (Hartill). Supporting herself by writing articles for American magazines, Ida was hired in 1894 as a full time writer for McClures magazine. Her childhood, college education, and early writing jobs influenced Ida's future as America's first great journalist (Ida Tarbell). .
As a literary legend Ida Tarbell would be known for her articles in McClures and American magazines, along with the books she published, and the lectures she would give. Many of her articles from McClures would eventually be published as books, including pieces on Napolean, Madame Roland, and Abraham Lincoln. Her most famous work would be a piece titled "The History of the Standard Oil Company," which unveiled the illegal means that John D. Rockerfeller used to monopolize the early oil industry.