Columbian Centinel
Encyclopedia
The Columbian Centinel was a Boston, Massachusetts, newspaper
established by Benjamin Russell
. It continued its predecessor, the Massachusetts Centinel and the Republican Journal, which Russell and partner William Warden
had first issued on March 24, 1784. The paper was "the most influential and enterprising paper in Massachusetts after the Revolution." In the Federalist Era
, it was aligned with Federalist sentiment. Until ca.1800, the Centinel's circulation was the largest in Boston. Its closest competitor was the anti-Federalist Independent Chronicle ("the compliments that were frequently exchanged by these journalistic adversaries were more forcible than polite").
Russell "can be justly characterized as the Horace Greeley
of his time." In 1828 Russell sold the Centinel to Joseph T. Adams and Thomas Hudson, who continued publishing it. In 1840, the Centinel merged with a number of other Boston papers—the Independent Chronicle & Boston Patriot, the Boston Commercial Gazette, and the New-England Palladium -- to form the Boston Semi-weekly Advertiser, which eventually became the Boston Herald
.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
established by Benjamin Russell
Benjamin Russell (journalist)
Benjamin Russell was an American journalist, born in Boston.-Early life:Benjamin Russell was born on 13 September 1761, son of John Russell, a stonemason...
. It continued its predecessor, the Massachusetts Centinel and the Republican Journal, which Russell and partner William Warden
William Warden
William Warden was a printer in late 18th-century Boston, Massachusetts. In March 1784, when Warden was 23 years of age, he established the Massachusetts Centinel newspaper, with Benjamin Russell. The printing-office of Warden & Russell was located in March 1784 "at the southeast corner of State...
had first issued on March 24, 1784. The paper was "the most influential and enterprising paper in Massachusetts after the Revolution." In the Federalist Era
Federalist Era
The Federalist Era was a time period in American history from roughly 1789-1801 when the Federalist Party was dominant in American politics. This period saw the adoption of the United States Constitution and the expansion of the federal government. In addition, the era saw the growth of a strong...
, it was aligned with Federalist sentiment. Until ca.1800, the Centinel's circulation was the largest in Boston. Its closest competitor was the anti-Federalist Independent Chronicle ("the compliments that were frequently exchanged by these journalistic adversaries were more forcible than polite").
Russell "can be justly characterized as the Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley was an American newspaper editor, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, a politician, and an outspoken opponent of slavery...
of his time." In 1828 Russell sold the Centinel to Joseph T. Adams and Thomas Hudson, who continued publishing it. In 1840, the Centinel merged with a number of other Boston papers—the Independent Chronicle & Boston Patriot, the Boston Commercial Gazette, and the New-England Palladium -- to form the Boston Semi-weekly Advertiser, which eventually became the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
.
Varying Titles
- The Massachusetts Centinel: and the Republican Journal. Mar. 24-Oct. 13, 1784.
- The Massachusetts Centinel. Oct. 16, 1784-June 12, 1790.
- Columbian Centinel. June 16, 1790-Oct. 2, 1799.
- Columbian Centinel & Massachusetts Federalist. Oct. 5, 1799-July 2, 1800.
- Columbian Centinel. Massachusetts Federalist. July 5-Dec. 31, 1800.
- Columbian Centinel. Sept. 5, 1804-May 23, 1840.
Further reading
- A free, uninfluenced news-paper. Printing-office, Marlborough-Street, Boston, March 11, 1784. To the publick. ... Proposals for publishing, every Wednesday and Saturday, a free, uninfluenced news-paper, to be entitled, the Massachusetts centinel... [Boston : Printed by Warden and Russell, 1784].
- Justin Winsor. Memorial history of Boston, vol.3. Boston: Ticknor & Co., 1881. p. 617+ (includes portrait of Benjamin Russell on p. 619).
External links
- Library of Congress. Massachusetts Centinel. Boston: Published by Warden & Russell, 1785.