Godkin, Edward Lawrence (1831-1902), founded The Nation and edited it from 1865 to 1901. This liberal weekly newspaper became one of the most influential periodicals in America. In 1881, The Nation became the weekly edition of the New York Evening Post. Within two years, Godkin was the Post‘s editor. He carried on a successful campaign against the corrupt politicians of New York City’s Tammany Hall (see Tammany, Society of ).
Godkin was born on Oct. 2, 1831, in County Wicklow, Ireland. He died on May 21, 1902.