The Encyclopedia Americana (1906)/Munsey, Frank Andrew

Munsey, mŭn'sĭ or -zĭ, Frank Andrew, American publisher: b. Mercer, Maine, 21 Aug. 1854. After receiving a common school education, he began his business career in a country store, and then became manager of a telegraph office in Augusta, Maine. He went to New York in 1882 and started 'The Golden Argosy,' a juvenile weekly which he afterward changed into a monthly for adults under the style of 'The Argosy.' 'Munsey's Weekly' appeared in 1890, and after issuing this for one year he transformed it also into a monthly calling it 'Munsey's Magazine.' He also founded 'The Junior Munsey' and 'The Puritan.' He might be said to be the pioneer in the publication of cheap illustrated publications. He also controls the New York Daily News, the Boston Journal and the Washington Times. He is a popular member of many clubs in New York city and elsewhere, and is the author of several books for boys: 'Afloat in a Great City' (1887); 'The Boy Broker' (1888); 'A Tragedy of Errors' (1889); 'Under Fire' (1890); and 'Derringforth' (1894).