Biography

He was a mentor to Alistair Cooke and William Raymond Manchester.

The character of E.K. Hornbeck in "Inherit the Wind" was modeled after him. The role has been played by, among others, Gene Kelly, Darren McGavin, and Beau Bridges.

Was the lead reporter at the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial.

Ernest Hemingway and Walter Lippmann agreed he was the most influential voice of his generation.

Mencken was an outspoken defender of freedom of conscience and civil rights, and an opponent of persecution, injustice, puritanism, and self-righteousness.

Love is the delusion that one woman differs from another.

On one issue, at least, both men and women agree; they both distrust women.

Life may not be exactly pleasant, but it is at least not dull. Heave yourself into Hell today, and you may miss, tomorrow or next day, another Scopes trial, or another War to End War, or perchance a rich and buxom widow with all her first husband's clothes. There are always more Hardings hatching. I advocate hanging on as long as possible.

One seldom discovers a true believer that is worth knowing.

Something somehow discreditable to someone. [on Truth]