The Literary Digest

Articles from The Literary Digest

Clerical Reasons for the Titanic Disaster (Literary Digest, 1912)

In the attached news report from The Literary Digest you will read an article that is composed of portions from various Christian sermons that were delivered throughout the United States on the Sunday following the Titanic sinking:

…The disease that is gnawing into our civilization are love of money and passion for luxury. Those two combined to sink the Titanic.

Clerical Reasons for the Titanic Disaster (Literary Digest, 1912) Read More »

Responsibility for the Titanic Disaster (The Literary Digest, 1912)

This article presents a broad survey of 1912 opinions concerning the Titanic sinking from a number of different sources. You’ll read the defensive statements of Joseph Bruce Ismay, the critical remarks made by Carpathia Captain Rostrom, the varying assignments of blame made by newspapers and assorted government swells as well as the broad understanding that wireless communication must become a standard piece of equipment for all ships. Also reported is the news of a mutiny on board the Titanic‘s sister ship, Olympic, which was also furnished with the suspect collapsible lifeboats.

Responsibility for the Titanic Disaster (The Literary Digest, 1912) Read More »

Dissent in the Pulpit (Literary Digest, 1917)

Shortly after the U.S. Congress declared war against Germany, a New York City minister named Dr. John Haynes Holmes (1879 – 1964) took to his pulpit and made a series of sound remarks as to why the United States had no business participating in the European war:

Other clergymen may pray to God for victory for our arms — I will not. In this church, if no where else in all America, the Germans will still be included in the family of God’s children. No word of hatred will be spoken against them, no evil fate will be desired upon them. I will remember the starving millions of Belgium, Servia, Poland, and Armenia, whom my countrymen may neglect for the more important business of killing Germans…

Dissent in the Pulpit (Literary Digest, 1917) Read More »

The Governor Who Threatened Martial Law (Literary Digest, 1933)

An article about Governor Floyd B. Olson (1891 – 1936) of Minnesota who allowed his emotions to get the better of him one day in the early Spring of 1933 when he threatened to impose martial law throughout the state in order to confiscate private wealth should his proposed relief legislation fail to pass the Minnesota Senate:


Was former Democratic vice-President Henry Wallace a dirty Red?

The Governor Who Threatened Martial Law (Literary Digest, 1933) Read More »

Famous Edith Sitwell (Literary Digest, 1927)

Edith Sitwell (1887 – 1964) had appeared on the literary horizon some fourteen years before this profile was read in the American press and by 1927 all concerned seemed to have decided that she had attained a respectable level of notoriety and was worthy of being labeled famous:

Miss Sitwell is described by THE SKETCH (London) as ‘an author who dislikes simplicity, morris-dancing, a sense of humor, and every kind of sport except reviewer-baiting.’

Famous Edith Sitwell (Literary Digest, 1927) Read More »