Louis Blaylock gave generously of his time, expertise and wealth to the growth of Dallas. He began his career as an apprentice to a printer and later founded The Blaylock Publishing Company, which published the Texas Christian Advocate, the official organ of the Southern Methodist Church in Texas. His business owned the first linotype machine in Dallas and Blaylock Publishing is credited as being one of a number of firms which helped lay the foundation for the later growth of Dallas. His political career began when he was asked to serve as the city's Police Commissioner by the Governor of Texas. He later served as Police and Fire Commissioner and Finance Commissioner before he was overwhelmingly elected mayor of Dallas in 1923. He was a founding member of the Modern Order of Praetorians, a fraternal benefit society, and was a leading figure in helping to build Dallas' first skyscraper, the Praetorian Building. For his lifetime contributions as publisher, civic leader and philanthropist, SMU was honored to confer upon Louis Blaylock the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

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