Max Robinson Hyman

(Mar. 16, 1859-Apr. 28, 1927). Born in Edinburgh, Indiana, the son of Robert and Helena Hyman, Max Robinson Hyman, journalist and publisher, moved to Indianapolis with his family in 1862. He began his journalism career as a reporter for the Indianapolis Herald, which he later operated with his brother Ben from 1887 to 1889.

Before that acquisition, the Hyman brothers published The Scissors (1883-1884), a local weekly humorous digest that printed early works of the Western Association of Writers, including those of James Whitcomb Riley and Edward Eggleston. He later worked for the Indiana State Sentinel and Indiana Journal in editorial and advertising positions. Before his death, he served as editor of the homebuilders’ section of the Indianapolis Star.

Hyman was active in publishing local histories. Between 1897 and 1909, he edited and published four editions of Hyman’s Handbook Of Indianapolis, a historical, industrial, and commercial review of the city (see Histories of Indianapolis). His publishing business, M. R. Hyman Co., also printed Indianapolis: An Outline History And Description Of The Hoosier Capital for the state’s centennial in 1916.

Hyman was keenly interested in civic improvements for Indianapolis. He was an early advocate for a downtown municipal “coliseum” and one of the founders of the Indianapolis Military Band. Hyman was a charter member of the Monument Masonic Lodge and a member of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation.

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