Biography/History

Don Anderson was publisher of the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, for thirty-six years, and was an active participant in the Wisconsin Alumni Association, the Madison Literary Club, and a variety of civic and professional organizations.

1900, August 27	Anderson was born in Bozeman, Montana.
1918 - 1919	Worked for the Daily Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, in the circulation department and as a cub reporter.
1919, Sept - 1922, Feb	Attended Montana State College, then enrolled in the University of Wisconsin Journalism School.
1923, fall	Worked for the Wisconsin State Journal part-time as a columnist and book reviewer.
1924, fall - 1942	Became a full-time reporter for the State Journal; was named city editor, then Sunday editor, 1926; managing editor, 1927; business manager and associate publisher, 1933; and finally publisher, 1942.
1934, June 1	The State Journal and the rival Madison newspaper, the Capital Times, consolidated their advertising departments.
1942 - 1945	Anderson served as a member of the newspaper advisory council for the U.S. Office of Censorship.
1944	Elected president of Inland Daily Press Association.
1947	Co-authored a book on the Lee newspaper syndicate, owners of the Wisconsin State Journal since 1919.
1949	The Wisconsin State Journal and the Capital Times formed Madison Newspapers, Inc., consolidating their circulation, business and mechanical departments. Editorial and news departments remained separate. The State Journal changed from afternoon to morning publication.
1968, Sept 1	Anderson retired as State Journal publisher.