Journalism has been defined as "writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation." An author, however, has freer rein - often weaving a story, truth based or not, with the intent to inform and/or entertain. In the past, a journalist was expected to tell the truth, based on facts, and newspapers were the primary outlet of their efforts. Authors wrote books or plays or poems, creating new worlds that showed us more, through their words, about the world around us or times and places from their imaginations.

Historically, writing has been a pathway to fame for many. In his day, Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) was England's most popular writer. He began with serialized stories in newspapers and dabbled in political journalism, moving on to write novels based on the world around him. Journalism has had it's rewards as well. Nelly Bly (the pen name of Elizabeth Cochran Seaman, 1864 - 1922) pioneered investigative journalism. She was a celebrated figure of her own time. George Sand (the pen name of author Amantine Lucile Dupin, 1804 - 1876 - women weren't allowed to publish in her time so she chose a man's name) was a celebrated French novelist. And who can forget Mark Twain (pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, 1835 -1910) who made us laugh and think? Often, journalists and authors have been more well-known than actors, musicians, or singers.

Discover photos of authors and journalists you may or may have not known from the past. Many are still being read today, centuries later.
☜ Read less