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A Legacy of Service

1880

Robert Rutherford McCormick, second son of Robert Sanderson McCormick and Katharine McCormick, is born on July 30 in Chicago. He is known as “Bertie.”

Robert R. McCormick as a toddler, circa 1882

1889

The McCormick family moves to London. While his father serves as second secretary at the U.S. Embassy there, Bertie attends Langley School then Ludgrove School in Hampshire.

Katherine Medill McCormick with sons, Medill and Robert, circa 1890

1893

The McCormick family returns to Chicago. The steam engines, power turbines and other technology displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition enthralls Robert.

1893 World's Fair Machinery Hall, Jackson Park, Chicago

1899

Joseph Medill, Robert’s grandfather, dies. Medill, a deeply influential figure in Robert’s life who was mayor of Chicago then editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Robert is at his bedside.

Joseph Medill

1905

After graduating from Yale, earning his law degree from Northwestern, and being elected a Chicago alderman, Robert is elected president of the Chicago Sanitary District.

Chicago Sanitary District, circa 1905

1911

After the death of his uncle a year earlier, Robert is elected president of the Chicago Tribune. He shares responsibilities with his cousin, Joseph Medill Patterson.

Robert R. McCormick and Joseph M. Patterson at Tribune Tower dedication

1915

Robert marries Amy de Houle Irwin Adams. The couple spends their honeymoon touring war-torn Europe. Robert visits several fronts in Russia, writing stories for the Tribune.

Robert R. McCormick and Amy Irwin Adams marriage photo, 1915

1918

McCormick leads the unit providing crucial artillery support of the 1st Division in the Battle of Cantigny, the first major American victory of World War I. Later he is promoted to colonel in the Illinois Guard.

Col. Robert R. McCormick, WWI officer photo

1919

A jury determines that the Tribune libeled industrialist Henry Ford but, in a sign of respect for Colonel McCormick, penalizes him six cents for damages and six cents for court costs.

Cover of report, Henry Ford v Chicago Tribune, 1919

1921

Funded by the Chicago Tribune and McCormick, Northwestern University establishes the Medill School of Journalism, named for the Colonel’s grandfather and Tribune editor, Joseph Medill.

Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University

1923

The Colonel receives the Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. Army for “rare leadership and organizing ability, unusual executive ability, and sound technical judgment.”

Col. Robert R. McCormick in Army uniform

1924

McCormick purchases fledgling radio station WDAP and gives it new call letters—WGN—for World’s Greatest Newspaper, the Chicago Tribune motto.

WGN Radio microphone

1936

McCormick publishes his book, “The Freedom of the Press: A History and an Argument.”

Freedom of the Press, by Robert R. McCormick, 1936

1939

Amy McCormick dies. Mourners gather for her burial at Cantigny, the family estate in west suburban Wheaton. The Colonel orders a plane to fly over and drop rose petals.

Amy McCormick's funeral, 1939

1944

McCormick marries Maryland Mathison Hooper, a close friend of his first wife and 17 years his junior.

Maryland McCormick

1948

Chicago’s second TV station, WGN, debuts with a broadcast of Golden Gloves amateur boxing, sponsored by the Tribune. The station would become famous as the home of the Chicago Cubs.

Robert R. McCormick giving an address on WGN-TV, circa 1948

1955

Colonel Robert R. McCormick dies at age 74 and is buried at Cantigny. His estate is estimated at $55 million and his will orders that 500-acre Cantigny be used as a public park and museum. The will also establishes the Robert R. McCormick Charitable Trust.

Funeral of Robert R. McCormick, 1955

In His Own Words

Robert R. McCormick speaking at a microphone

But the First Division will never die in the memory of a gallant people. For them it will march forever. March on then, First Division! March over the sunny hills of France; march through the flaming towns of Picardy; up the shell-swept slopes of the Lorraine; through the gas-filled forests of the Argonne; on into everlasting glory.

Speech at the dedication of the Cantigny Monument, 8/9/1937 , test
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Robert R. McCormick portrait, 1934

That [First] Amendment is a sharp and absolute injunction upon the power of government. No such absolute guarantee of human liberty is found anywhere else in political history, outside the borders of the United States. This point is so vitally important that every American must keep it in the forefront of his mind if he is to understand the true nature of our precious liberty.

Freedom of the Press-II, 10/20/1951

In His Own Words

But the First Division will never die in the memory of a gallant people…

But the First Division will never die in the memory of a gallant people. For them it will march forever. March on then, First Division! March over the sunny hills of France; march through the flaming towns of Picardy; up the shell-swept slopes of the Lorraine; through the gas-filled forests of the Argonne; on into everlasting glory.

rn

Speech at the dedication of the Cantigny Monument, 8/9/1937

That [First] Amendment is a sharp and absolute injunction upon the power of government.

That [First] Amendment is a sharp and absolute injunction upon the power of government. No such absolute guarantee of human liberty is found anywhere else in political history, outside the borders of the United States. This point is so vitally important that every American must keep it in the forefront of his mind if he is to understand the true nature of our precious liberty.

rnFreedom of the Press-II, 10/20/1951rnrn

This power of the press is the greatest free protection the people have for their general welfare.

Freedom of the Press-VII, 12/29/1951

…that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide.

The newspaper is an institution developed by modern civilization to present the news of the day, to foster commerce and industry, to inform and lead public opinion, and to furnish that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide.

rnRobert R. McCormick, Tribune Tower lobby

veterans enjoying dinner together

Veterans

One element of our unwavering, longstanding commitment to veterans is our dedication to finding high-impact ways to support veterans and their loved ones in completing and maintaining a seamless transition to civilian life.

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Shot of working skillful editor checking work of freelancers sit

Journalism

Since our first year of grantmaking in 1956, when the Foundation provided $20,000 in support for Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, we’ve remained committed — always with an eye on innovation and agility — to the vital role a robust free press plays in a healthy democracy.

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