Medill, << muh DIHL, >> Joseph (1823-1899), a crusading American editor and publisher, made the Chicago Tribune one of the world’s most successful newspapers. He served as managing editor from 1855 to 1863, as editor in chief from 1863 to 1866, and as publisher from 1874 until his death. Many of his editorials concerned government reforms. Medill worked hard to build the Republican Party. Some authorities believe he named the party. He helped sponsor Abraham Lincoln as a candidate for the presidency. Medill served at the Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1869, on the Civil Service Commission under President Ulysses S. Grant, and as mayor of Chicago from 1872 to 1874. He was born on April 6, 1823, near Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He died on March 16, 1899.
