Guy P. Gannett (1881-1954) was born in Augusta and was a successful entrepreneur. He assisted his father, William H. Gannett, in publishing Comfort magazine.
William H. Gannett was a major force in the mail-order and publishing business during the late 19th and early 20th century. Based in Augusta, his Comfort was the first magazine in the United States to achieve over a million in circulation. His rotary color convertible web-fed press, first in the country, gave him a great competitive advantage over other publishers. In 1887, he used his magazine to advertise a tonic that was an immediate success.
Following his father’s talent, the son established the Guy Gannett Publishing Co., which grew to grew to include the Morning Sentinel, Portland Press Herald, Portland Sunday Telegram, Portland Evening Express and Daily Kennebec Journal. It also encompassed WGME television and WGAN radio.
His father built the historic Guy Gannett House in Augusta for his son. According to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, in considering the historic significance of the house, declared that Guy Gannett “was perhaps the most significant publisher in the history of the Maine press.”