Six Months in Mexico (ePub)

Nellie Bly, born Elizabeth Cochran on May 5, 1864, in Pennsylvania, was a trailblazing figure in investigative journalism and one of the most famous American journalists of the 19th century. Her pioneering work often included undercover assignments which brought about societal change. Adopting the pen name Nellie Bly, inspired by the song 'Nelly Bly' by Stephen Foster, she began her career at the Pittsburgh Dispatch before moving to New York City where she gained fame for her exposé on the conditions of asylum patients at Blackwell's Island for The New York World. This groundbreaking investigation was later published in book form as 'Ten Days in a Mad-House' (1887), a work that remains a powerful testimonial to her investigative prowess and concern for social justice. Bly's spirit of adventure and her commitment to uncovering the truth took her around the world in 72 days, emulating Jules Verne's fictional character Phileas Fogg, which she documented in 'Around the World in Seventy-Two Days' (1890). Her literary contributions also include 'Six Months in Mexico' (1888), an insightful account of Mexican society and politics during her time spent there as a foreign correspondent. Bly's writing style was characterized by a keen observational ability and narrative drive, making her reports both informative and engaging. Not only did she open doors for women in journalism with her daring exploits and tenacity, but her literary legacy also continues to influence the field of investigative reporting. Nellie Bly passed away on January 27, 1922, but her indelible mark on the profession and literature endures.