H. L. Mencken Biography and Quotes

Famously Known For

Henry Louis Mencken was famous for his controversial comments on the social lifestyle, literature, music, political setting, and contemporary movements. He referred to the Scope Trial as the “Monkey Trial,” through his satirical reporting. He openly spoke against organized religion and the general American lifestyle. Also, he was a critic of chiropractic medicine and modern economic systems.

Early Life

Mencken was born to Ann Margaret and August Mencken Sr. on September 12, 1980. His father was a cigar factory owner and had German ancestry. The family moved to Union Square in the old West Baltimore region when he was age three. He lived in Baltimore for the rest of his life. At age nine, he read various literary works such as Mark Twain’s book, Huckleberry Finn, and William Shakespeare’s entire canon. Mencken worked at his father’s cigar factory for three years where and later enrolled for writing classes at Cosmopolitan University. 

Personal Life

Mencken got married to Sara Haardt, an author, in 1930. Sara and Mencken had an age gap of 18 years. This caught many as a surprise since Mencken had earlier spoke against marriage, referring it as “The end of Hope.” However, the marriage was short-lived as Sara would later on in 1935 succumb to meningitis.

Career

Louis Mencken worked as a reporter at the Baltimore Morning Herald. He worked for the newspaper for six years until the building that was hosting the newspaper firm got burnt down during the Great Baltimore Fire.

In 1911, he was given a column, “The Free Lance,” at The Baltimore Sun newspaper. His articles were those of criticism of modern ways of life that most people were beginning to adopt in his lifetime. His most famous quote was, “It is better, to tell the truth than a lie.”

Death

In his last days, Mencken was ailing from the effects of a stroke. He succumbed to death in his sleep on January 29, 1956. 

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