William d'Alton Mann

William d'Alton Mann (September 27, 1839 – May 17, 1920) was a Union officer in the American Civil War, a businessman, and a newspaper and magazine publisher.

Early life

He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on September 27, 1839. The credibility of the latter was undermined by Mann's tacit admission in civil court to allowing robber barons to purchase immunity from unwanted coverage in the paper. "In 1906 The New York Times noted that Mann had received what he described as loans from a number of millionaires, including $25,000 from William K. Vanderbilt."

His New York residence was 302 West 72nd Street in Manhattan. Mann died at his country home, 156 Madison Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey, on May 17, 1920, from complications from influenza. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx. His estate was divided amongst family and friends, but led to a number of lawsuits.

Legacy He has been given credit for the invention of the "blind item".