H. L. Mencken

Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956), American editor, author, critic, newspaper man and iconoclast, was probably America's most influential journalist. He began his career on the Baltimore Morning Herald at the age of 18, became editor of the Baltimore Evening Herald, and from 1906 until his death was on the staff of the Baltimore Sun or Evening Sun. He was one of the last American intellectuals to speak out forcefully, pungently, and satirically against the follies of religion.