George Horace Lorimer (October 6, 1867 – October 22, 1937) was an American journalist, editor, author and publisher who worked as the editor of The Saturday Evening Post from 1899 to 1936. During his time as editor, circulation rose from several thousand to more than one million. He published the works of some of the greatest American writers and hired the then unknown illustrator Norman Rockwell to create cover artwork. He became president of the Curtis Publishing Company in 1932 and served until 1936.
Early life and education
Lorimer was born on October 6, 1867 in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of Rev. George C. Lorimer and Belle (née Burford) Lorimer. He attended Moseley High School in Chicago and Yale University.
He was convinced by one of his father's parishioners, Philip D. Armour, to leave Yale and work in the meatpacking business in Chicago from 1887 to 1895. He opened his own grocery business but it failed. In 1892, he married Alma Ennis.
He moved to Boston and worked as a reporter before returning to school at Colby College to study writing.
Career
He worked as a journalist at the Boston Post and the Boston Herald. He was hired by Cyrus H. K. Curtis in 1897 as literary editor of The Saturday Evening Post. In March 1899, he was promoted to acting editor and replaced William George Jordan. He became editor-in-chief and published the works of some of the greatest American writers including Willa Cather, Stephen Crane, Theodore Dreiser, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ring Lardner, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London and Frank Norris. He introduced European writers such as Joseph Conrad and John Galsworthy to American audiences. Lorimer convinced former U.S. President Grover Cleveland to write for the Post. In 1916, Lorimer hired the then unknown illustrator Norman Rockwell to create cover artwork for The Saturday Evening Post.
