Ida Tarbell,the pioneer Investigative reporter

I still remember that when I first read the book 'The History of the Standard Oil Company',I was in the ninth standard.I was fascinated by the detailed research by the author .Later, I learned that Ida was America's most respected journalists of earlier part of the twentieth centuries.I visualized that I would some day be an Investigative Reporter.I found that the author Ida Tarbel (857-1944)was the most respected American journalist in the earlier part of the twentieth century.The lady became my inspiration.In this book she unearthed the illegal way by which the business tycoon John Rockefeller monopolize the then oil industry.Ida Tarbell spent much of her time searching documents,archives. Documents played a major role for muckrakers.Ida proved that 'document oritented' Investigative Journalism is much more authentic.American President Theodore Roosevelt introduced the term muckrakers for the reporters who dug up the shit.She tried tried to exploit her professional credentials for the sake of her personal gain.She even bluntly refused many coveted posts that was offered to her by the us government.I feel sad when I hear that Journalists of my genre use their connections for their monetary gain.

http://www.history.rochester.edu/fuels/tarbell/MAIN.HTM