The New York Post is widely considered one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. Founded in 1801, it has remained in print ever since. Over more than two centuries, the paper has experienced both remarkable highs and serious setbacks. Today, the Post is largely associated with bold, provocative headlines. But in the 19th century, it enjoyed strong credibility and the trust of its readers. Editors came and went, shaping the news agenda for New Yorkers year after year. Over time, the format shifted, and the paper transformed into a tabloid. You can explore how the newspaper was founded and how it evolved over the years at newyork1.one.
The History of the Newspaper
The first issue of the now-famous paper was published on November 16, 1801. But New Yorkers saw a very different name on the masthead back then. The founder, Alexander Hamilton, called it the New York Evening Post. To launch the venture, Hamilton had to raise capital. He turned to like-minded investors and quickly found support among fellow members of the Federalist Party. The paper was born out of political rivalry, giving its backers a platform for their ideas. Hamilton invested $1,000 of his own money and helped raise a total of $10,000. The New York Evening Post focused on business, political news, and shipping. Its initial print run was just 600 copies. Gradually, it began building a loyal readership.
While Hamilton and his partners oversaw the business side, the investors understood that strong editorial leadership was essential. They created the position of editor and appointed William Coleman as the first to hold the role. Coleman devoted nearly 30 years to the paper and worked there until his death. Another major figure in the paper’s history was William Cullen Bryant, who took over in 1829. He initially served as assistant editor before succeeding Coleman as editor-in-chief. Bryant was a skilled writer with a deep understanding of public sentiment. He advocated for equal rights, fair wages, the abolition of slavery, and the protection of minorities – positions that resonated strongly with readers.
Following an unspoken tradition, Bryant gradually brought his assistant, William Leggett, into the paper’s leadership. When Bryant was away, Leggett stepped in as acting editor. During those periods, the paper’s tone shifted sharply. Leggett filled its pages with bold, radical appeals. Readers admired his fearless voice. Business partners, however, were far less enthusiastic. Advertisers began pulling out. Internal operations grew unstable. When Bryant returned, he found the publication in disarray and had to repair both its reputation and its finances. The 19th century is often described as the newspaper’s golden age. Its pages featured influential essays by prominent thinkers. Still, strong journalism alone wasn’t enough to secure its future. To remain competitive, the paper had to adapt its business model. Change was inevitable.
Over time, the New York Evening Post changed not only editors but owners as well. The newspaper passed from one entrepreneur to another, many of whom struggled to provide long-term financial stability. Ownership controversies, growing competition, and editorial shifts all took their toll. In 1934, the publication adopted its current name, the New York Post, and experimented with the tabloid format. The format’s full potential was realized under Dorothy Schiff, who took control in 1939. At first, circulation was difficult to grow. But Schiff found success with sensational headlines and investigative pieces that captured attention. Her strategy kept the paper afloat for decades. Eventually, she sold the newspaper – marking the beginning of a completely new chapter in its history.
Page Six: When Gossip Became Official
One of the most iconic features of the New York Post was its decision to formalize gossip. The concept was introduced in November 1976, and on January 3, 1977, Page Six officially debuted. The name said it all: the gossip column ran on page six of the newspaper. The team spent time searching for the right title but ultimately chose something simple and direct. It stuck. Before long, Page Six became synonymous with rumors and insider buzz. Inside the newsroom, staffers casually referred to it simply as “the Page.”
The revival of the gossip column was entrusted to James Brady, its first editor. The team drew inspiration from legendary gossip columnist Walter Winchell, though several writers contributed to the column. In the 1970s, there was nothing quite like it. New Yorkers embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The city was hungry for celebrity exclusives. The Post delivered. Page Six featured juicy tidbits about movie stars, politicians, corporate executives, and other powerful figures. It quickly became a phenomenon in American journalism. The reaction was intense and often contradictory. Critics dismissed it as trivial or invasive. Readers devoured it. Public figures feared landing in its headlines – yet many secretly wanted the spotlight. The column was read eagerly, debated loudly, and frequently condemned. Still, most agreed it had brought something entirely new to New York’s media landscape – and it was undeniably successful.
Despite its public scandals, the operation behind Page Six was surprisingly stable. Several writers contributed to the column, unified by a shared tone and style. The team relied on a vast network of informants, often placing more trust in insiders than in rival reporters. Over the years, editorial turnover was rare. Editors tended to stay for the long haul and became closely identified with the column. Brady launched Page Six but soon handed it over to Neal Travis. Much of the column’s rise in popularity is credited to Claudia Cohen, whose provocative style and sharp voice drew even more readers. Yet the man often called the true father of Page Six is Richard Johnson, who dedicated more than 25 years to the column. Under his leadership, Page Six boosted the profiles of legendary nightclubs, damaged celebrity reputations, sparked public feuds, and occasionally found itself in the headlines. Controversial? Always. Influential? Without question. Page Six firmly secured its place at the very top of New York’s rumor mill.
A Dark Period
Once regarded as a reliable source of news, the New York Post is now best known for its provocative headlines. In its early years, the paper’s founders emphasized politics, and its editors reflected the pressing social debates of their time. But with each change in ownership, the publication evolved – often reshaped to protect its business interests. The paper’s modern identity is closely tied to media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who owned it for more than five decades.
Murdoch acquired the Post in 1976 from Dorothy Schiff, the woman credited with reviving the publication and steering it successfully for 40 years. Schiff had embraced the tabloid format while maintaining a balance between sensationalism and substantive reporting. Under her leadership, the paper became profitable. When she began to doubt her ability to sustain the business long-term, she sold it to Murdoch. Schiff placed high hopes in the deal, remembering how she herself had once stepped in to rescue the struggling paper. By that time, Murdoch was already known for his expanding media empire- and he had clear ambitions for the Post. The newspaper survived. But its tone, appearance, and reputation changed dramatically.
Murdoch made no secret of his vision. While Schiff had blended different genres and perspectives, he pushed the paper toward sharper sensationalism, louder scandals, and high-profile investigations. The shift was swift. Within a few years, the Post had cemented a reputation for aggressive, attention-grabbing coverage. Beyond bold headlines, the paper also faced accusations of publishing commissioned or politically motivated stories. Editorial priorities increasingly reflected the owner’s business interests and political views – or, at times, his conflicts. Observers noted that the paper appeared to favor certain public figures while targeting others. Trust issues followed. Critics pointed to unverified claims and ethically questionable pieces. Over the course of Murdoch’s tenure, the Post faced numerous lawsuits and became, as he intended, synonymous with controversy. In 2023, Murdoch stepped back from active leadership and transferred control of the newspaper to his son, Lachlan Murdoch.
Tabloid
The New York Post is considered one of the most popular tabloids not only in the United States but worldwide. The tabloid format was formally adopted in 1942 by then-owner Dorothy Schiff. She saw it as a way out of crisis – and a strategy to win back readers. She was right. Circulation and profits grew as the paper embraced a format that was just beginning to gain traction. Tabloids didn’t just shrink the size of the page. They introduced a new style of journalism – fast, sensational, and provocative. Readers could grab a compact paper on the go and flip through lighter, more entertaining stories anytime. It was convenient and accessible. But there was a trade-off. The rush for attention often led to exaggerated headlines, questionable reporting, and lower editorial standards. Under the leadership of Rupert Murdoch, the Post fully immersed itself in the tabloid world.
Since then, the newsroom has outlined a clear set of editorial principles. Yet those standards reflect a commitment to bold, aggressive content designed to capture mass attention. The Post openly takes pride in its headline writing – short, sharp, and often controversial. In media circles, its front pages have become legendary. Still, much of that fame is tied to the backlash surrounding its most explosive wording. The paper is known as much for its contradictions as for its success. Editors emphasize fairness and accuracy, yet critics have repeatedly pointed to instances of bias and rushed reporting. That tension is part of what defines tabloid journalism. For decades, the New York Post has focused on grabbing attention, entertaining readers, and dominating newsstands with unforgettable front pages.
