(born April 6, 1823, near Saint John, N.B., Can.—died March 16, 1899, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.) Canadian-born U.S. editor and publisher. Born into a family of shipbuilders, he studied law in the U.S. and was admitted to the bar in 1846.
He turned to newspaper publishing in 1849. As managing editor of the Chicago Tribune (from 1855), he set its antislavery editorial policy. He helped found the Republican Party (1854) and worked for Abraham Lincoln's nomination. As mayor of Chicago (1871–74), he helped establish the Chicago Public Library (1872–74). In 1874 he resigned as mayor and acquired a controlling share in the Chicago Tribune. Four of his grandchildren, including Robert McCormick, also ran newspapers.
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