The second half of the 19th century was a time of tremendous upheaval and change in America-the transformation resulting from the Civil War and the industrialization and urbanization of America which followed were reflected in the magazines of the era. Important new monthly titles emerged (Harpers New Monthly, The Atlantic Monthly) along with illustrated weeklies (Saturday Evening Post). The era saw the American magazine grow to maturity as it entered an age of specialization. Religious, agricultural, business, sports, fashion and humor periodicals focused on reader interests; other titles targeted audiences by geography or demographics. By the end of the period, American magazine publishing was poised to become a large industry, led by national magazines of enormous circulation. 50 of the eras leading writers, editors and publishers are profiled in this DLB volume.

50 entries include: Louisa May Alcott, Thomas Bailey Aldrich, James De Bow, William Jennings Demores, Frederick Douglass, Fletcher Harper, O. Henry, John Foster Kirk, James Russell Lowel, George Palmer Putnam, Lucy Stone and Victoria Woodhull.