Ladies' Home Journal

Ladies' Home Journal

U.S. monthly magazine, one of the oldest in the country and long the trendsetter among women's magazines. Founded in 1883 as a supplement to the Tribune and Farmer (1879–85), it began an independent publication in 1884. Under the editorship (1889–1919) of Edward Bok, its circulation surpassed that of any other U.S. publication. Bok revolutionized the women's magazine field by offering high-quality fiction and nonfiction, establishing service departments that answered letters from readers, and conveying a sense of intimacy. After the mid-20th century Ladies' Home Journal was overtaken in circulation by its rival, McCall's. It was acquired in 1986 by the Meredith Corporation, which also publishes Better Homes and Gardens.