Hero or villain: A reinterpretation of the life and career of Edward L. Doheny.

摘要

Edward L. Doheny, best known for his part in the oil scandal of the 1920s, has remained an enigmatic figure in American history. He began his career as a struggling miner and prospector in the Southwest in the 1880s before he found success as an oil producer in California and Mexico at the turn of the century. Though Doheny seemed to embody the classic rags to riches story, and was usually portrayed in that fashion at the height of his career, the "Teapot Dome" episode destroyed his reputation and opened the door to more sensational tales of a darker past.;Doheny's role as the dominant American oil producer in Mexico during the years of that country's civil war and revolution led both contemporary and modern critics to see him as a pernicious presence in Mexican affairs. And his success at turning his Mexican oil business into one of the world's largest fuel oil operations has sufficed as evidence of exploitation.;In contrast to these approaches, this study seeks to present a balanced portrayal of Doheny's life and his business career. Because Doheny's personal papers were destroyed in the aftermath of Teapot Dome, writers have freely substituted conjecture for fact. But relying upon available sources of information, from the territorial census of New Mexico to the published financial data of his oil companies, produces a more complete picture of Doheny's accomplishments, as well as his missteps.;In particular, the story of his early years from 1880-1900 allows a new appreciation for his perseverance and fidelity, and stands in opposition to various myths which have grown up around him. Similarly, the events leading to his role in the oil scandal reveal the nuance between self interest and patriotism. By focusing primarily on the development of Doheny's oil companies, and adding biographical information when the sources permit, his phenomenal record of business achievement rises above a bitter legacy.