Edward
Bok was born in Den Helder, Holland,
on 9th October, 1863. When Bok was seven years old his family emigrated
to the United States. After attending school in Brooklyn, New
York City, Bok found work as an office boy at the Western Union
Telegraph Company.
Bok had a strong desire to become a journalist and managed to get
some of his work published in the Brooklyn Eagle. He continued
his education at night school and in 1887 became advertising manager
of the Scribner's Magazine.
Two years later he became editor of the Ladies'
Home Journal. Bok used the magazine to campaign for women's
suffrage, pacifism, conservation
of the environment and improved local government. By 1900 it was the
best selling magazine in the United States.
Bok retired from the Ladies' Home Journal
in 1919. His autobiography, The Americanization
of Edward Bok (1920) was a best-seller and won a Pulitzer
Prize. He also helped to fund the $100,000 American Peace prize.
Edward Bok died in Tucson, Arizona, on 9th January, 1930.
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