Gilbert Monell Hitchcock (1859-1934)

Gilbert Monell Hitchcock, founder of the Omaha World-Herald newspaper, was born in Omaha in 1859. He received his education in the Omaha schools and in Germany, and then studied law at Michigan University. After he was graduated from law school in 1881, Hitchcock returned to Omaha and set up a law office. Four years later his interest in journalism led to his founding the Evening World. In 1889 he purchased the Morning Herald and merged the two papers into the World-Herald.

While at first a political independent, he later became a Democrat. He hired both a Democrat and a Republican to discuss the issues in the World-Herald. William Jennings Bryan was an editor of the paper for two years, and the World-Herald supported Bryan in his unsuccessful bid for the presidency. Later, when Bryan and Woodrow Wilson disagreed on foreign policy, Hitchcock continued to support Woodrow Wilson.

Hitchcock was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1902. He defeated in 1904 but was re-elected in 1906 and in 1908. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1910 and in 1916. Hitchcock introduced the resolution to declare war on Germany in World War I and, as a member of the banking committee, was instrumental in the passage of two postal savings bank bills and the bill to create the Federal Reserve BAnking System. He backed Wilson's views on the League of Nations, believing that it promised a new order of world peace.

Although he relinquished the position of editor of the Omaha World-Herald to an associate in 1911, Hitchcock after 1920, again directed his publishing business. He ran for the Senate once more, this time against George W. Norris in the 1930 primary, but was unsuccessful.

Hitchcock was interested in Omaha civic affairs. He was active in the organization of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha in 1898 and acted as director of publicity. He was also interested in youth. He initiated the annual giving of a scholarship by the World-Herald to a deserving graduate of each of Omaha's high schools, which continues.

Hitchcock died in Washington D.C. on February 3, 1934. He was made a member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 1986.