Steffens, (Joseph) Lincoln (1866–1936)

US investigative journalist. Intent on exposing corruption and fraud in high places, he initiated the style known as ‘muckraking’ while working for McClure's magazine. He later covered the Mexican Revolution and befriended the Soviet leader Lenin.

Born in San Francisco and educated at Berkeley, Steffens joined the staff of the New York Evening Post in 1892. An expert in financial affairs, he became editor of the New York Commercial Advertiser 1897–1901 before moving on to McClure's (managing editor 1901–06), where he joined forces with the writers Ida Tarbell (1857–1944) and Ray Stannard Baker (1870–1946). His Autobiography appeared in 1931.