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Died Age: 57

source:wikipedia.org

Nellie Bly

Birthday:

05 May, 1864

Date of Death:

27 Jan, 1922

Cause of death:

Pneumonia

Nationality:

American

Famous As:

Journalist

Age at the time of death:

Early Life and Family

Nellie Bly was a leading American journalist, industrialist, and social reformer who was best known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days and her undercover investigation of a mental asylum.

Birth and Childhood

Nellie Bly was born on May 5, 1864 in Pennsylvania. Bly was among the first children of Micheal Cochran with his second wife, Mary Jane Kennedy. Bly lost her father at the young age of 6. As a young girl, she was nicknamed Pink because she frequently wore anything that color.

Teenage Years and Name Change

As a teenager, Bly wanted to portray herself as more sophisticated, and dropped the nickname and changed her surname to “Cochrane.”

Education

Bly was briefly enrolled at Indiana Normal School before she dropped out due to lack of funds.

Early Journalism Career

Bly began her journalism career at a young age and wrote about various social issues such as women’s rights, labor conditions, and poverty.

Move to New York and Rise to Prominence

She moved to New York City in 1887 and joined the New York World where she gained prominence due to her daring and sensational reporting style.

Investigation of the Women’s Lunatic Asylum

One of her most famous investigations was when she feigned insanity to get herself committed to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island. During her stay there, she exposed the abuse and neglect of the patients by the staff. Her articles resulted in massive public outcry which forced the asylum to reform itself.

Nellie Bly's Quote's

“Could I pass a week in the insane ward at Blackwell's Island? I said I could and I would. And I did”
“How can a doctor judge a woman's sanity by merely bidding her good morning and refusing to hear her pleas for release? Even the sick ones know it is useless to say anything, for the answer will be that it is their imagination”
“I always had a desire to know asylum life more thoroughly - a desire to be convinced that the most helpless of God's creatures, the insane, were cared for kindly and properly”
“It is only after one is in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there are in the world”

Around the World in 72 Days

She became inspired by Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” in 1889 and embarked on her own journey around the world. She used various modes of transport to travel between countries and continents and completed her trip in just 72 days setting a new world record at that time.

Marriage and Business Career

Bly married Robert Seaman in 1895 and became the president of his company, Iron Clad Manufacturing Co., after his death in 1904. She introduced many changes in the company such as better working conditions, employee benefits, and safety measures.

Death

She passed away in 1922 at the age of 57.

Profile Snapshot

Name:

Nellie Bly

Popular Name:

Nellie Bly

Gender:

Female

Cause of Death:

Pneumonia

Spouse:

Robert Seaman

Place of Birth:

Burrell Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Place of Death:

New York City, U.S.

Occupation / Profession:

Journalist

Writer

Inventor

Personality Type

Advocate: Quiet and mystical, yet very inspiring and tireless idealists. Nellie Bly was able to focus on the things that mattered to her. This helped her a lot during her career as a journalist.

Nellie Bly's Interesting Facts