A Look Inside The Baltimore Sun's History and Ownership

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The Baltimore Sun has a rich history that spans over 190 years. Founded in 1837, it was first published as a weekly newspaper called the Baltimore Sun.

The Sun's early years were marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions, which ultimately led to its current ownership. In 1986, the Sun was acquired by the Times Mirror Company.

Under the Times Mirror Company, the Sun underwent significant changes, including the introduction of a new editorial style and the expansion of its online presence.

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History and Editions

The Baltimore Sun has a rich history that spans over a century. The newspaper was first published in 1837, making it one of the oldest newspapers in the United States.

From 1910 to 1995, The Sun had a distinct sibling, The Evening Sun, which was published in the afternoon. This was a deliberate decision made by Charles H. Grasty, a former owner of the Evening News, who believed in the evening circulation.

Credit: youtube.com, Baltimore Sun's coverage of the Gettysburg Address

The Evening Sun was a huge success, leading its morning sibling in circulation for most of its existence. In 1959, its afternoon edition had a circulation of 220,174, compared to 196,675 for the morning edition.

However, by the 1980s, cultural, technological, and economic shifts in America began to affect the newspaper industry. Readers started to flock to morning papers or switch to nightly television news broadcasts, causing The Evening Sun's circulation to decline.

By 1992, The Evening Sun's circulation had dropped to 133,800, and by mid-1995, its readership had been eclipsed by that of The Sun. The Evening Sun ceased publication on September 15, 1995.

Here's a brief timeline of the newspaper's history:

  • 1837: The Baltimore Sun was first published.
  • 1910: The Evening Sun was first published.
  • 1959: The Evening Sun's afternoon edition had a circulation of 220,174.
  • 1992: The Evening Sun's circulation had dropped to 133,800.
  • 1995: The Evening Sun ceased publication.

Contributors and Ownership

The Baltimore Sun has a rich history of being home to many talented journalists, including H.L. Mencken, who had a 40-year association with the paper.

Over the years, the Sun has won 16 Pulitzer Prizes, a testament to its commitment to quality journalism.

Credit: youtube.com, The Baltimore Sun bought by Sinclair media executive

The paper's staff has been comprised of notable journalists, editors, photographers, and cartoonists, such as Rafael Alvarez, Linda Carter Brinson, and Russell Baker.

Here are some of the notable contributors to The Baltimore Sun:

  • Rafael Alvarez
  • Linda Carter Brinson
  • Richard Ben Cramer
  • Russell Baker
  • A. Aubrey Bodine
  • John Carroll
  • Turner Catledge
  • Edmund Duffy
  • Thomas Edsall
  • John Filo
  • Jon Franklin
  • Jack Germond
  • James Grant
  • Mauritz A. Hallgren
  • David Hobby
  • Brit Hume
  • Gwen Ifill
  • Gerald W. Johnson
  • Kevin P. Kallaugher
  • Murray Kempton
  • Frank Kent
  • Tim Kurkjian
  • Laura Lippman
  • William Manchester
  • Jim McKay
  • Kay Mills
  • Robert Mottar
  • J. Reginald Murphy
  • Thomas O'Neill
  • Drew Pearson
  • Ken Rosenthal
  • Louis Rukeyser
  • Dan Shaughnessy
  • David Simon
  • Michael Sragow
  • John Steadman
  • Jules Witcover
  • William F. Zorzi

The Sun's new owner, David D. Smith, has been involved in local politics, including donating to Sheila Dixon's mayoral campaign, who resigned in 2010 as part of a plea agreement in a corruption case.

Contributors

The Baltimore Sun has a rich history of notable contributors, with 16 Pulitzer Prizes to its name. Many of these contributors have made lasting impacts on the world of journalism.

H.L. Mencken, a legendary journalist, had a 40-year association with the paper. He's a great example of someone who made a lasting impression on the industry.

Other notable journalists, editors, photographers, and cartoonists on the staff of The Baltimore Sun include Rafael Alvarez, Linda Carter Brinson, Richard Ben Cramer, and many more. This list of talented individuals is a testament to the paper's commitment to excellence.

Golden sun setting behind silhouetted grass, capturing a peaceful evening scene.
Credit: pexels.com, Golden sun setting behind silhouetted grass, capturing a peaceful evening scene.

Here's a list of some of the notable contributors mentioned in the article:

  • Rafael Alvarez
  • Linda Carter Brinson
  • Richard Ben Cramer
  • Russell Baker
  • A. Aubrey Bodine
  • John Carroll
  • Turner Catledge
  • Edmund Duffy
  • Thomas Edsall
  • John Filo
  • Jon Franklin
  • Jack Germond
  • James Grant
  • Mauritz A. Hallgren
  • David Hobby
  • Brit Hume
  • Gwen Ifill
  • Gerald W. Johnson
  • Kevin P. Kallaugher
  • Murray Kempton
  • Frank Kent
  • Tim Kurkjian
  • Laura Lippman
  • William Manchester
  • Jim McKay
  • Kay Mills
  • Robert Mottar
  • J. Reginald Murphy
  • Thomas O'Neill
  • Drew Pearson
  • Ken Rosenthal
  • Louis Rukeyser
  • Dan Shaughnessy
  • David Simon
  • Michael Sragow
  • John Steadman
  • Jules Witcover
  • William F. Zorzi

Co-Owner Figures Prominently

The Baltimore Sun has had its fair share of notable contributors over the years, but one figure has recently come under scrutiny for their involvement in local politics. David D. Smith, the co-owner of the paper, has been making headlines for his ties to politicians, including Sheila Dixon, a mayoral candidate who has received donations from Smith.

Smith's connection to the paper's reporting is evident in the way the Sun covers stories that involve him. According to the article, the paper has given front-page treatment to a lawsuit against a restaurant owned by Smith's nephew, Alex, and has even urged its reporters to "drill deeper on corruption."

Here are some notable contributors to The Baltimore Sun:

  • Rafael Alvarez
  • Linda Carter Brinson
  • Richard Ben Cramer
  • Russell Baker
  • A. Aubrey Bodine
  • John Carroll
  • Turner Catledge
  • Edmund Duffy
  • Thomas Edsall
  • John Filo
  • Jon Franklin
  • Jack Germond
  • James Grant
  • Mauritz A. Hallgren
  • David Hobby
  • Brit Hume
  • Gwen Ifill
  • Gerald W. Johnson
  • Kevin P. Kallaugher
  • Murray Kempton
  • Frank Kent
  • Tim Kurkjian
  • Laura Lippman
  • William Manchester
  • Jim McKay
  • Kay Mills
  • Robert Mottar
  • J. Reginald Murphy
  • Thomas O'Neill
  • Drew Pearson
  • Ken Rosenthal
  • Louis Rukeyser
  • Dan Shaughnessy
  • David Simon
  • Michael Sragow
  • John Steadman
  • Jules Witcover
  • William F. Zorzi

About Us

The Baltimore Sun has a rich history that spans over 187 years, with its founding dating back to 1837 by Arunah Sheperdson Abell. The newspaper has been Maryland's trusted source for award-winning, unbiased journalism ever since.

Aerial view of Baltimore cityscape at dusk, showcasing urban architecture and illuminated streets.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial view of Baltimore cityscape at dusk, showcasing urban architecture and illuminated streets.

The Sun was initially a four-page tabloid that exceeded 12,000 circulation within a year of its founding. This rapid growth was due to Abell's dedication to printing the news without regard to his own prejudices.

The Abell family maintained ownership of the paper until 1910, when the Black family acquired a controlling interest. The Sun has had several owners over the years, including the Times-Mirror Company, which acquired it in 1986.

Today, The Baltimore Sun is part of the Tribune Company, which acquired it in 2000. The Sun is still a legacy newspaper, but its online presence has helped it adapt to changing times.

Here's a brief overview of The Baltimore Sun's ownership history:

The Sun's commitment to unbiased journalism has earned it a reputation as a trustworthy source of news. Its legacy continues to inspire readers and inform the community.

Controversies

The Baltimore Sun has had its fair share of controversies over the years. One notable incident involved former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who issued an executive order banning state employees from talking to Sun columnists Michael Olesker and David Nitkin.

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The Sun responded by filing a First Amendment lawsuit against the Ehrlich administration, which was eventually dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge. The paper then appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the dismissal.

In 2006, Olesker was forced to resign due to allegations of plagiarism. Several of his columns contained sentences or paragraphs that were similar to material previously published in other newspapers.

The Baltimore City Paper reported that Olesker's alleged plagiarism was not uncommon in newsrooms, where using previously published boilerplate material was a common practice.

Thomas Andrews Drake, a former National Security Agency executive, allegedly leaked classified information to Sun reporter Siobhan Gorman between 2006 and 2007. He was charged with 10 felony counts in 2010, but all charges were eventually dropped.

Here's a brief timeline of the controversy surrounding Drake's leaks:

  • 2006-2007: Drake allegedly leaks classified information to Gorman
  • 2010: Drake is charged with 10 felony counts
  • 2011: All 10 original charges are dropped
  • 2011: Drake pleads to one misdemeanor count

In 2018, the parent company of The Sun faced criticism for not enabling permission-requesting software, which led to European visitors being forced to use proxies to access the site.

In 2024, the Sun dismissed reporter Maddi O'Neill for raising questions about journalistic standards in the newsroom. The Baltimore Sun Guild called the firing a "cowardly" decision and filed a federal complaint, saying O'Neill was fired for engaging in protected concerted activity.

For another approach, see: Sandler O'Neill and Partners

Partnerships and Collaborations

Credit: youtube.com, BGE & The Baltimore Sun's Business and Civic Hall of Fame

The Baltimore Sun has a history of partnerships and collaborations that have helped shape its content and reach. In 2008, the newspaper partnered with WJZ-TV, a CBS-owned station, to share content and story leads.

This partnership allowed WJZ to promote Baltimore Sun stories in its news broadcasts, and The Sun to promote WJZ's stories and weather team on its pages. The partnership was a significant development for the newspaper's online presence.

Since the 2024 purchase led by Sinclair chairman David Smith, The Baltimore Sun has partnered with Sinclair flagship WBFF-TV. Their respective websites now republish each other's stories and articles from WBFF-TV and other Sinclair outlets appear in the paper.

About the Sun

The Baltimore Sun has a rich history dating back to 1837 when it was founded by A.S. Abell as a four-page tabloid. Abell dedicated the newspaper to printing the news without regard to its editors' prejudices.

The Sun was first published in Baltimore, Maryland, and its circulation exceeded 12,000 within a year. It began as a penny paper aimed at a mass audience, but as it developed, The Sun came to be directed especially to a serious, intellectual, and issue-oriented readership.

Credit: youtube.com, Five Minute Histories: The 1904 Fire

The newspaper was initially founded by Arunah Sheperdson Abell, a printer, on May 17, 1837. Abell and two others founded the newspaper, and the Abell family owned the paper until 1910.

Here are some key facts about The Sun's history:

  • Founded in 1837 by A.S. Abell
  • Initially a four-page tabloid
  • Circulation exceeded 12,000 within a year
  • Abell family owned the paper until 1910

In 2000, the Tribune Company of Chicago bought the Times-Mirror company, which owned The Sun. This marked a significant change in the newspaper's ownership structure.

The Sun has a long history of excellent war coverage, particularly in World War II. The newspaper's editors have always strived to maintain an independent political line, rejecting the prevailing wisdom that a newspaper should be a mouthpiece for a political party.

Today, The Sun is part of the Baltimore Sun Media Group (BSMG), which also produces the b free daily newspaper and other community newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nickname for Baltimore Maryland?

The nickname for Baltimore, Maryland is "Charm City." This nickname was officially coined 44 years ago, but its roots date back to the early 20th century.

Who is the religion reporter for The Baltimore Sun?

The Baltimore Sun's religion reporter is Jonathan Pitts, covering faith and spirituality for the newspaper. He brings insightful reporting to the community through his work.

Sheldon Kuphal

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Sheldon Kuphal is a seasoned writer with a keen insight into the world of high net worth individuals and their financial endeavors. With a strong background in researching and analyzing complex financial topics, Sheldon has established himself as a trusted voice in the industry. His areas of expertise include Family Offices, Investment Management, and Private Wealth Management, where he has written extensively on the latest trends, strategies, and best practices.

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