Pulitzer Prize Awarded for 1930 Editorial on George Norris

George W. Norris. NSHS RG3298-2-3 (left).

On May 5, 1931, the Fremont Evening Tribune reported that Tribune editor Charles S. Ryckman had been awarded a Pulitzer Prize for the best editorial article published in an American newspaper during the year 1930. The award was among those given each year for excellence in American journalism, letters, drama, and music.

A Pulitzer Prize was awarded Ryckman for an editorial on Senator George W. Norris entitled “The Gentleman from Nebraska,” published in the Tribune on November 7, 1930. The Tribune noted that in making the selection, consideration was given to “clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, . . . To be selected for this honor, one of the highest possible of attainment in the newspaper profession, is a signal tribute to the young editor of the Tribune. In being considered for the prize, Ryckman’s work was placed in competition with that of all editorial writers in the United States, including those on the large metropolitan journals.”

The article selected as the outstanding editorial of 1930 was written by Ryckman following Norris’s re-election to the United States Senate in November. When the senator was returned for a fourth term, after defeating Democrat Gilbert M. Hitchcock, Ryckman tried to analyze the spirit and sentiment of the Nebraska voters who had re-elected Norris, writing in his prize-winning editorial:

“As a senator, Norris has given Nebraska something the state never had before. He has put the ‘Gentleman from Nebraska’ on every front page in America, and has kept him there. . . . But the publicity Norris gets for Nebraska is not the whole story. His real strength in Nebraska is measured by the antagonisms he stirs up beyond the borders of the state. His people take delight in setting him on the heels of the ruling powers, whether of government, of finance or of industry. The more he makes himself obnoxious to a political party, to a national administration or to Wall street, the better they like him.”

 

Norris’s home in McCook, Nebraska, which served as his home base throughout his political career, is now the Senator George Norris State Historic Site.

 

– Patricia C. Gaster, Assistant Editor / Publications

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of History Nebraska members.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast.

Nebraska Collections

History Nebraska's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.