George Fitch

Born in Galva, Illinois, on June 5, 1877, George Helgesen Fitch was an American author, journalist, and humorist. He studied at Knox College and went on to work for newspapers including the Council Bluffs Nonpareil and the Peoria Herald-Transcript, building a reputation for lively, accessible writing.

Fitch became widely known for his humorous fiction and essays, especially the Siwash stories, which centered on the fictional Siwash College and gently mocked college customs and American ambition. He also wrote satirical newspaper and magazine pieces, including his well-known "Vest Pocket Essays," blending playful observation with a reporter's eye for detail.

His career was cut short when he died in California on August 9, 1915, at just 38 years old. Even so, his work remained popular after his death, and he is still remembered as one of the bright, comic voices of his era.