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 .