Ellen Browning Scripps was born in London, England, one of six children. In 1844, after her mother died and her father’s bookbinding shop failed, the family moved to the US, settling in Rushville, Illinois. There, her father re-married and had four more children. Scripps was an avid reader from an early age and received her education at local private schools and seminars. In 1855, at 19, she gained a teaching certificate and taught for a year before attending Knox College in Galesburg, IL, studying science and mathematics. After graduating with honors, Scripps returned to Rushville and taught in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1867, 31 years old Scripps joined her half-brother, James E. Scripps, in Detroit and invested her saving in his new newspaper, The Detroit Evening News. She worked there as a proofreader and began to write a daily column titled Matters and Things, expressing her progressive thinking and opinions about the news and daily events. During the 1870s and 1880s, more of her brothers joined the enterprise, forming various partnerships that created America’s largest chain of newspapers, which included the St. Louis Chronicle, The Cincinnati Post, and The Cleveland Press. As a shareholder, Scripps had a pivotal role in securing the company. Her financial devices often saved the company. She kept investing in her brothers’ growing chain of newspapers, which includes dozens of local newspapers, such as the Kansas City Star, The Los Angeles Record, The San Francisco News, The Seattle Star, The Portland News, and The Tacoma Times. These newspapers were all working-men oriented, pitching to the miners, cannery, and dock workers. As the business expanded, Scripps became a wealthy woman, and while leaving modestly, she put her fortune aside as “a trust for the benefit of humanity.” In 1890, she and her brother E.W. bought land in San Diego, where she established the Miramar Ranch. In 1897, at 61, Scripps moved to a cottage in La Jolla, became involved with various movements and progressive causes, and co-founded the La Jolla Woman’s Club. At the time, she began to reap the benefit of her investments and used her fortune for extensive philanthropy work. She donated to causes close to her heart, like research, science, and education, mainly for women. She also promoted wildlife preservation, donating to organizations such as Scripps College, the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Natural History Museum. In the last three decades of her life, Scripps donated more than $2 million, which today is approximately $39,722,000. Although her generosity drew public attention, Scripps avoided publicizing her philanthropy work and stayed away from the spotlights. She died a few weeks before her 96th birthday. Read more...