A History of Obituaries in American Newspapers
Obituaries in American newspapers have evolved significantly over time, transitioning from simple death notices to detailed accounts of individuals' lives. Historically, these notices were primarily reserved for notable figures, with many deaths going unrecorded in public forums. The publication of obituaries has often reflected societal biases, favoring wealthy and white individuals over others.
- ▪The earliest obituaries were short death notices dating back to 59 BC in Roman times.
- ▪The invention of the Gutenberg Press allowed for more widespread sharing of death notices, but they were still limited to notable individuals in colonial America.
- ▪Obituaries today include rich details about a person's life, but historically, many deaths were communicated through word of mouth rather than in newspapers.
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The Body of Henry George Borne at the Head of the Night Pageant, The New York Journal and Advertiser (New York, N.Y.), November 1, 1897. Mourn Not! A History of Obituaries in American Newspapers May 14, 2026 Posted by: Malea Walker Share this post: The following is a guest post by Elizabeth Davidson, a Reference Librarian in the Serial and Government Publications Division. Obituaries as we know them today are rich records of a person’s life. They might include the full name of the deceased, their predeceased and surviving family members, details of their accomplishments, or information about their funerary service or interment.
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