H. L. Mencken was an influential writer, editor, and social critic during the first half of the twentieth century. He was born in 1880 in Baltimore, Maryland. Although his father wanted him to work in the family cigar manufacturing business, Mencken sought employment with the Baltimore Herald after his father's death. After serving as a newspaper editor in Baltimore for several years, he worked as a literary critic for The Smart Set, a magazine he coedited with George Jean Nathan. His influence was strong in literary circles, but as the 1920's began, he became more interested in social criticism. During the 1920's, his influence reached its peak, and his writing during these years was our group's focus. Although his main audience was intellectuals, academics, and college students, he was widely quoted (and misquoted), and his opinions, often indirectly, reached many Americans and others around the world.

Famous Baltimorians John Astin - actor Eubie Blake - pianist Jim Henson - Creative Producer Billie Holiday - singer Francis S. Key - writer Thurgood Marshall - Civil Rights Advocate H. L. Mencken - writer Edger Allen Poe - writer Parker Posey - Actress Babe Ruth - baseball player Upton Sinclair - novelist