Born in San Francisco. Son of Senator George Hearst. Attended Harvard 1882 to 1885. Married Millicent Willson April 28, 1903. Editor and publisher of San Francisco Examiner in 1886.

He bought the New York Morning Journal and promoted it to increased circulation and financial success. He continued to buy other papers and magazines. Hearst supported William Jennings Bryan in 1896. His editorials contributed to the conflict that resulted in the Spanish American War.

Elected to Congress March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1907. Unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of New York in 1905 and for Governor of New York in 1906. He moved to his 240,000 acre ranch at San Simeon, California, in 1927. He built Hearst castle and filled it with antiques and works of art. During the depression his business suffered considerable losses and much of his collections were sold off. He died in Beverly Hills, California.

His coin collection included a Brasher Doubloon. He bought it from another wealthy collector, Colonel Green. In 1941 the Hearst Brasher Doubloon was exhibited for sale at Gimbel Brothers department store in New York City.

bio: BDC; DAB; CBY 1955; EAB; NCAB 14, 39; WAB; WWWA-3; NUM/NIN