Victor Hanson II

Victor H. Hanson II (born August 17, 1930; died January 7, 2022) was the third generation publisher of The Birmingham News from 1983 until his retirement in 2001.

Hanson was the son of Clarence and Elizabeth Hanson. He was named after his father's uncle, Victor Hanson, publisher of The Birmingham News. The family had been traveling the country when the elder Victor died in 1945 and Clarence was named publisher of The News, whereupon they returned to Birmingham.

Hanson attended public school and later graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. He then attended the University of Virginia and graduated from the University of Alabama. He met Elizabeth "Betty" Stallworth of Evergreen (Conecuh County) while at Alabama and the two married around 1953.

Hanson next served in the United States Air Force, advancing in rank to Captain. He then returned to Birmingham in 1959, working in sales at The News. He went on to work in every area of the newspaper and also worked at WAPI-TV, which was also owned by the paper. He became Vice President and General Manager of The News in 1961. In 1980 he was promoted to President and finally became Publisher in 1983, after his father died.

Hanson served on boards of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alabama Symphony Association, Highlands Day School, McWane Center, Southern Research, the Alabama Press Association, and Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Mountain Brook Club, and Briarwood Presbyterian Church, where he served in many ways for over 50 years, including as an elder.

Hanson received the Richard Arrington Award in recognition of his contribution to the arts in Birmingham, and the Jewish National Fund's Tree of Life award for support of Israel.

Hanson retired as publisher of The Birmingham News in 2001, whereupon his son, Victor Hanson III, was succeeded him.

Hanson died in his sleep after a short illness in 2022. He was survived by his wife; five children, Clarence Bloodworth Hanson III, Victor Henry Hanson III, Elizabeth Hanson Chick, Fletcher Hanson Chambliss, and Robert Stallworth Hanson; 15 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Hanson remains were buried at Elmwood Cemetery.

Preceded by: Clarence Hanson Jr

Birmingham News Publisher 1983–2001

Succeeded by: Victor Hanson III

References

• Victor H. Hanson II obituary (January 8, 2022) The Birmingham News