Why Did Joseph Pulitzer Buy the Hotel That Kicked Him Out?

David Senra, reading James McGrath Morris, says Joseph Pulitzer bought the hotel that used to kick him out of the lobby when he was homeless. He slept outside. 23 years later, the former derelict owned the place.

He and his wife stayed married for 30 years and barely spent any time together. Pulitzer worked all the time, while his wife spent her time in society and made news buying jewelry and houses. She drew criticism for having some of the most expensive jewelry in the world. One newspaper defended her and spelled out the climb: 30 years earlier her husband was shoveling coal and driving drays, and his indomitable energy and active brain had placed him where he could afford to buy out half a dozen royal families.