William White Harding

Background

William Harding was born on November 1, 1830, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of Jesper Harding and Maria Wilson Harding and brother of George Harding.

Education

William attended the Northwest School, Philadelphia.

Career

In 1846 William Harding became a clerk in the bookstore of George S. Appleton, where he remained three years. He then became associated with his father’s business and in 1856 was made a partner, under the firm name of Jesper Harding & Son. Upon the retirement of his father, in 1859, he became the sole proprietor of The Pennsylvania Inquirer and the extensive Bible-publishing business which the elder Harding had built up. One of his first acts was to change the name of the paper to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Soon its size was increased from two to four pages and then to eight; the system of credit subscriptions was abolished; in connection with it stereotyping was introduced for the first time in Philadelphia; and in later years other innovations and mechanical improvements were made. The editorial and news items were also improved, no expense being spared to bring the paper up to the highest standard of journalism.

During the Civil War - at which time Harding served as a colonel on the staff of Governor Janies Pollock of Pennsylvania - the paper heartily supported the cause of the Union and showed great enterprise in obtaining news from the armies and from the government offices at Washington. Very efficient methods were maintained for circulating the paper in the armies and so highly was it regarded by officials that when any steps were taken in the prosecution of the war which it was thought advisable to communicate to the soldiers, a special edition was ordered by the authorities for free distribution in the field.

In addition to the development of the Inquirer Harding continued, with improvements, the publication of the “Harding Bible. ” In 1864 he established a paper-mill at Manayunk, near Philadelphia, and was prominently identified with the first attempts to make paper out of wood, having secured the rights to the process from its inventor. In 1889 failing health caused him to relinquish the active management of the Inquirer, its ownership being transferred to a corporation - The Philadelphia Inquirer Company. Three months after his retirement he died of pneumonia at his home in Philadelphia.

Achievements

• William Harding did much to place The Philadelphia Inquirer publishing on a high plane and under his direction the Inquirer became a model for other papers in America. He also adopted a plan for encouraging youthful talent. So many young men received their newspaper training at his hands that he became known as a judge of “raw material” and his paper as a school of journalism of the first rank.

Personality

Harding is described as a man of attractive personal appearance, simple in his habits and unostentatious in his manner.

Connections

Harding was married to Catharine Hart and there were six children.

Father:

Jesper Harding

Mother:

Maria Wilson Harding

Spouse:

Catharine (Hart) Harding

Brother:

George Harding

References

• Philadelphia and notable Philadelphians 1902 Hardcover by Moses King (2015-05-04)
• Philadelphia - A History of the City and its People