Victor Lawson
(Sept. 9, 1850–Aug. 19, 1925)

Born in Chicago to a Norwegian immigrant laborer who prospered in real estate. He became publisher of the Chicago Daily News. Over 29 years, Lawson’s newspaper business innovations included advancements in promotion, classified advertising, syndication of news stories, serials, and comics. Lorado Taft’s 1931 “Crusader” stands guard over the grave. Lawson contributed anonymously to many charities, and even his grave is unmarked, except for the statue and the phrase, “Above all things truth beareth away the victory.”

photo and text by Joe Collier