The Private Historian’s owner is Matthew Nickerson. He earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Chicago, going on to work for 25 years as a reporter and editor at five metropolitan Chicago newspapers, most recently on the Tribune’s business desk. While a journalist, he got a master’s in European history. In 2014, he paired his newspaper skills and historical knowledge and became a family and company historian.

A Chicago resident and neighborhood buff, Matt wrote the Arcadia Publishing books on Lake View and East Lake View. He has lived on the South, West and North Sides. He is a member of the Chicago History Museum and the Newberry library, and a board member of the Chicago Jewish Historical Society.

Private Historian boasts a number of other writers—all with 20-plus years experience—who work under Matt’s direction.