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