John Walter (second)
Encyclopedia
John Walter was the son of John Walter, the founder of The Times
, and second editor of it.
He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School
and Trinity College, Oxford
. About 1798 he was associated with his elder brother in the management of his father's business, and in 1803 became not only sole manager, but also editor of The Times.
In the same year he signalled the new spirit of his stewardship by expressing his opposition to Pitt
, which cost him government advertisements and the loss of his appointment as printer to the Customs, besides exposing him to the unscrupulous hostility of officials. When the King of Portugal sent him, via the Portuguese ambassador, a service of gold plate, he returned it.
It was the same jealous regard for the complete independence of The Times that led him to insist upon the strict anonymity of the able men whom he hired. From about 1810, he delegated to others editorial supervision, first to Sir John Stoddart
, then to Thomas Barnes
, and in 1841 to John Thadeus Delane
, though never the ultimate direction of policy.
In 1830, Walter purchased an estate called Bearwood
at Sindlesham
in Berkshire
where he built a house, afterwards rebuilt by his son to form the present mansion. He was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire
the same year. Two years later, he was elected to Parliament
for that county, and retained his seat till 1837. In 1841 he was returned to Parliament for Nottingham
, but was unseated the following year on petition. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Mary Smythe, had a family. His eldest son, John
, also worked in the newspaper. He died in London on 28 July 1847.
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, and second editor of it.
He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....
and Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
. About 1798 he was associated with his elder brother in the management of his father's business, and in 1803 became not only sole manager, but also editor of The Times.
In the same year he signalled the new spirit of his stewardship by expressing his opposition to Pitt
William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806...
, which cost him government advertisements and the loss of his appointment as printer to the Customs, besides exposing him to the unscrupulous hostility of officials. When the King of Portugal sent him, via the Portuguese ambassador, a service of gold plate, he returned it.
It was the same jealous regard for the complete independence of The Times that led him to insist upon the strict anonymity of the able men whom he hired. From about 1810, he delegated to others editorial supervision, first to Sir John Stoddart
John Stoddart
Sir John Stoddart was a writer and lawyer, and editor of The Times.-Biography:Stoddart, eldest son of John Stoddart, lieutenant in the Royal Navy, was born at Salisbury. His only sister, Sarah, married, on 1 May 1808, William Hazlitt. He was educated at Salisbury grammar school, and matriculated...
, then to Thomas Barnes
Thomas Barnes (journalist)
Thomas Barnes was a British journalist, essayist, and editor. He is best known for his work with The Times which he edited from 1817 until his death in 1841.-Early life and education:...
, and in 1841 to John Thadeus Delane
John Thadeus Delane
John Thadeus Delane , editor of The Times , was born in London.He was the second son of Mr WFA Delane, a barrister, of an old Irish family, who about 1832 was appointed by Mr Walter financial manager of The Times.While still a boy he attracted Mr Walter's attention, and it was always intended that...
, though never the ultimate direction of policy.
In 1830, Walter purchased an estate called Bearwood
Bearwood College
Bearwood College is a secondary co-educational independent school located at Bearwood House at Sindlesham, near Wokingham, in the English county of Berkshire. Before the 1990s, it was the Royal Merchant Navy School.-History of the house:...
at Sindlesham
Sindlesham
Sindlesham is an estate village in the civil parish of Winnersh, Borough of Wokingham, and county of Berkshire, in South East England. Located by the M4 motorway, it is south-east of Reading and adjoins Winnersh village...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
where he built a house, afterwards rebuilt by his son to form the present mansion. He was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire
High Sheriff of Berkshire
The High Sheriff of Berkshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'....
the same year. Two years later, he was elected to Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
for that county, and retained his seat till 1837. In 1841 he was returned to Parliament for Nottingham
Nottingham (UK Parliament constituency)
Nottingham was a parliamentary borough in Nottinghamshire, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1295. In 1885 the constituency was abolished and the city of Nottingham divided into three single-member constituencies....
, but was unseated the following year on petition. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Mary Smythe, had a family. His eldest son, John
John Walter (third)
John Walter was an English newspaper publisher and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1847 and 1885....
, also worked in the newspaper. He died in London on 28 July 1847.