David Goodman Croly (November 3, 1829 - April 29, 1889) was a journalist[1] and the father of the progressive writer Herbert Croly, co-founder of The New Republic magazine.
David G. Croly was born at Olovakiltey, Ireland, on November 3, 1829, the son of Patrick and Elizabeth Croly. He came to this country in early life, studied in New York University but was not graduated, and received a special course diploma in 1854. He was a member of Zeta Psi.[2]
His life was devoted chiefly to newspaper work and authorship. He was a reporter for "The New York Herald " and " Evening Post " in 1855-58; Editor of "The Daily News," at Rockford, Illinois, in 1859-60; City Editor and Managing Editor of "The New York World" in 1860-72; Managing Editor of "The New York Daily Graphic" in 1872-78. He was one of the founders of the Lotos Club of New York. He was the author of "The Modern Thinker," " Glimpses of the Future," and "The Positivist Catechism."
He was married in 1857 to Jennie Cunningham, daughter of Joseph H. Cunningham, a lady who attained eminence as a writer and journalist under the pen name of "Jennie June."
David Croly was a devoted Comtist, who attempted to popularize the concepts of Positivism.[3] He was also involved in the creation of a pamphlet Miscegenation: The Theory of the Blending of the Races, Applied to the American White Man and Negro, which turned out to be a hoax.[4]
Mr. Croly died in New York on April 29, 1889.