Lincoln Steffens was an American journalist and social reformer born on April 6, 1866. He is best known for his work in the early 20th century, particularly for his series of articles titled “The Shame of the Cities.” These articles exposed corruption in city governments across the United States, highlighting issues such as bribery and political graft. Steffens was a key figure in the muckraking movement, which aimed to uncover social injustices and promote reform. His writings contributed to the Progressive Era, influencing public opinion and encouraging reforms in urban governance. He passed away on August 9, 1936.