February 10

Ezra Butler Eddy was born in Vermont in 1827 and ventured to Canada as a young man, establishing a small sawmill in Hull. Through innovation and expansion, he grew the business into the E.B. Eddy Company, a major pulp and paper firm. In 1875, Eddy was elected the first mayor of Hull, where he championed infrastructure improvements and public services. He invested in community projects including schools and churches, shaping the town’s growth. Eddy passed away in 1906, leaving a thriving enterprise and a legacy of civic leadership in Quebec.

Lloyd Ross Morrison was born in 1957 in Auckland, New Zealand, and pursued a career in banking with ANZ as a young professional. In 1988, he established H. R. L. Morrison & Co, guiding the firm to become a leading investment advisory company in Australasia. Morrison was known for his innovative approach to infrastructure finance and corporate governance. He served on multiple boards and was a patron of philanthropy, supporting community and educational initiatives. He passed away in 2012, leaving a lasting impact on New Zealand’s financial sector and philanthropic landscape.

Born in 1929 in Michigan, Mike Ilitch served in the U.S. Marine Corps before founding Little Caesars Pizza in 1959 with his wife Marian. Under his leadership, Little Caesars grew into one of the largest pizza chains worldwide. Ilitch expanded his business empire by purchasing the Detroit Red Wings in 1982 and the Detroit Tigers in 1992. He invested heavily in Detroit’s downtown revitalization and launched successful real estate projects. His sports teams won multiple championships, including Red Wings Stanley Cups. Ilitch was known for his hands-on management style and community philanthropy. He died in 2017 at the age of 87.

Larry Flynt was an American publisher who founded Hustler magazine in 1974, creating a powerful media empire with his provocative approach to adult entertainment. He became a seminal figure in First Amendment history through landmark legal battles, most notably Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, defending freedom of speech against censorship. Flynt's unapologetic style sparked national debates on morality, the limits of expression, and press freedom. Throughout his life, he combined business acumen with a passion for civil liberties. His legacy endures in the ongoing conversation about media rights and personal liberties in the United States.