Edwin Atkins Grozier (September 12, 1859 – May 9, 1924) was an American journalist, publisher and author, who owned The Boston Post from 1891 until his death. He authored the book, "The Wreck of the 'Somerset,'" first published in the New York World, May 1886.
He graduated from Boston University in 1881, and worked at both the Boston Herald and The Boston Globe. He served as Governor George D. Robinson's private secretary, and later as private secretary to Joseph Pulitzer. He later became the first city editor of the New York Evening World, and later its editor-in-chief. He took over The Boston Post in October 1891.
Background and Education
Grozier was born at sea, as his father's ship approached the Golden Gate Bridge, near San Francisco.
He was a member of numerous clubs and organizations, including the Algonquin Club of Boston, the Fellowcraft of New York, and the Belfry of Lexington.
In October 1891, Grozier purchased controlling interest in The Boston Post, at a time when readership was low, with a circulation of less than 2500; the paper was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Under his leadership, the Post became the leading U.S. newspaper in advertising volume, and advertisers recognized the Post as an opportunity for increased exposure. One Philadelphia advertising agency noted that the Post was the only paper published in the morning. Zain Advertising, launched a 10-week ad-writing contest with the Post, in an effort to engage and educate the public on the importance of advertising. Three hundred prizes were awarded each week for the best advertising suggestions on 24 products. Two grand prizes, $500 and $1000, were awarded at the end of the campaign; over 500-thousand entries were submitted over the 10-week period. Richeson ultimately confessed, and was executed.
Charles Ponzi scheme
Grozier suffered a severe physical breakdown in 1920, leaving day-to-day control of the Post to his son, Richard Grozier. The newspaper expose covered individuals with political and financial ties to the scheme. Many community members, including authorities, did not believe the allegations, made during the papers investigation, until "the bubble burst," leaving millions of dollars in public money lost, as a large Trust company failed.
After his death, his son Richard succeeded him as editor and publisher of the Post. The city council in Cambridge, Massachusetts, renamed Hawthorne Avenue, to Grozier Road, in honor of his fathers accomplishments.
Works
- The wreck of the "Somerset," Press of the Provincetown advocate, 1886.
- One Hundred Best Novels Condensed, co-authored with Charles E. L. Wingate and Charles Henry Lincoln, Harper & Bros., 1920.
Further reading
- The Bay State's Boston post canes: the history of a New England tradition