Crosby S. Noyes's contributions to newspaper journalism were his use of the editorial pages of Washington's leading newspaper to improve and develop the nation's capital and his steadfast commitment to objective reporting in a period of "yellow" journalism. This objective approach was used by his sons, who followed him at the Star. One of those sons, Frank, used this same edict for the modern Associated Press when he became its first president.

Using all of the influence of the Evening Star, Crosby Noyes faced off against Congress and several federal administrations for projects ranging from creation of Washington's park system to completion of the Washington Monument. Moreover, he used his editorial leadership to urge the federal government to take responsibility for its share of the cost of operating the District of Columbia, and he led the campaign for the establishment of a Library of Congress.

The trail to...