W. Allison Sweeney

William Allison Sweeney (July 27, 1851 – 1921) was an American newspaper writer, editor, and owner, poet, and author of a history of Afro-American soldiers in World War I.

Early life Sweeney was born in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, on July 27, 1851, to William Jacob and Aurilla (Day) Sweeney. He was married twice. He was first married to Rene Clark, with whom he had two children; and then second to Roberta Lomax Erskine.

Sweeney's most famous newspaper association was as editor of the Chicago Conservator. The Conservator was in the center of a political power struggle whose sides were associated with W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. Sweeney was in the Washington camp and became editor of the Conservator in 1904. Sweeney exhibited some ineptness as a manager and businessman while there, as he often missed publication dates for considerable periods of a time.