Edward Livermore Burlingame was the first editor of Scribner's Magazine, an illustrated monthly which began publication in January 1887. His goal was to produce "a magazine of good literature in the widest sense." He sought out literary and artistic works that were original, intellectually stimulating, and of lasting literary value. He was among the first editors to recognize the literary importance of travel narratives, collections of letters, autobiographical accounts, reminiscences of historically significant moments, and unpublished diaries.

A prospectus of the new magazine was issued in 1886 to give a general idea of its aims and scope, stating, in part, that "Scribner's, it is promised, will be, in the widest sense, a magazine of general literature, its purpose being to bring together, not only good reading, but literature of permanent value. Each number will be illustrated, and the artistic work will be spirited and original." On its debut, a New...