Walter J. Kidd Scrapbook

Walter J. Kidd (1856-1930) was a staff writer and editor at the Newark Sunday Call from about 1905 until his death in 1930. Born in England, he graduated from Queens College, Cambridge University and emigrated to Newark with his brother during the early 1900’s. During his tenure at the Newark Sunday Call, he became a noted chronicler of the city’s immigrant communities and local history as well as real estate news. Mr. Kidd also served as the religious editor of the Newark Sunday Call and had an especially close relationship with Armenian congregations in New York City and New Jersey. Additionally, he published articles and papers with the Newark Evening News , the New Jersey Historical Society, and the Newark Museum on subjects such as the history of the 18th century Isaac Nichols house, which formerly stood at 313 Washington St., Chinese art and Jewish religious activities in Newark. Mr. Kidd was also involved with the city’s civic affairs, and served as an executive committee member of the Young People’s Theatre Association between 1909 and 1910, which established a children’s theatre. Upon his death in 1930, he was praised by Beatrice Winser, librarian of the Newark Public Library, as a great friend and user of the library. An editorial in the Jewish Chronicle also noted the fairness and accuracy of his reporting on Jewish religious matters.