From a Bench in Our Square

American journalist, writer, and muckraker Samuel Hopkins Adams was born in Dunkirk, New York, on January 26, 1871. During the Progressive Era, Adams who was renowned for his powerful investigative journalism made important contributions to literary and social reform. As a journalist, Adams first worked for the New York Sun and other publications. His investigative works uncovered injustice and corruption, especially in the patent medicine and pharmaceutical industries. A group of essays he wrote that ultimately resulted in the Pure Food and Drug Act's enactment in 1906 are among his most significant contributions. In addition to his work as a journalist, Adams was a prolific writer of novels, short tales, and non-fiction books. Apart from "The Flying Death," Adams's other well-known books include "Average Jones" and "Revelry," which demonstrate his flexibility as a writer. In addition to being a gifted storyteller, Samuel Hopkins Adams was a fervent supporter of social change. His influential literary and journalistic works have left a long-lasting legacy, supporting the era's larger campaigns for consumer protection, public health, and social justice.