The Representative
Encyclopedia
The Representative was a spectacularly unsuccessful daily newspaper published in London
, England, from 25 January 1826 to 29 July 1826.
In autumn 1825 the young Benjamin Disraeli
convinced his father's friend, the publisher John Murray
, that the time was ripe for a Canningite
morning paper that would challenge The Times
. Murray agreed to supply half of the capital, with Disraeli and John Diston Powles
, a City speculator, each contributing one-quarter. Disraeli travelled to Chiefswood (near Melrose) to persuade John Gibson Lockhart
(Sir Walter Scott's son-in-law) to edit the paper; Lockhart declined, but agreed to serve as editor of Murray's Quarterly Review
and consult on the management of the paper. Disraeli returned to London and began preparations. Lockhart's suggestion that William Maginn
be employed was accepted, and he was sent to Paris
as foreign correspondent, where he "drank much and wrote little." Offices were leased in the fashionable West End
on Great George Street, distant from both Fleet Street
and Grub Street
.
The Representative was launched on January 25, 1826, and apparently never had a proper editor–Disraeli quarrelled with Murray and later satirized him in a novel, Vivian Grey
, as the "Marquess of Carabas." The "Rep's" politics were incoherent and advertising began slipping away almost immediately. Soon its nickname was the "demi-Rep." Maginn was brought back from Paris in March to try to salvage the paper, but it expired with much finger-pointing in the summer of 1826, and was merged with the New Times. Murray lost heavily (about £26,000) and never attempted another foray into newspaper publishing. Disraeli went on to a career in politics, eventually becoming Prime Minister
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, from 25 January 1826 to 29 July 1826.
In autumn 1825 the young Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC, FRS, was a British Prime Minister, parliamentarian, Conservative statesman and literary figure. Starting from comparatively humble origins, he served in government for three decades, twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom...
convinced his father's friend, the publisher John Murray
John Murray (1778-1843)
John Murray was a Scottish publisher and member of the famous John Murray publishing house.The publishing house was founded by Murray's father, who died when Murray was only fifteen years old. During his youth, a partner, Samuel Highley, ran the business, but in 1803 the partnership was dissolved...
, that the time was ripe for a Canningite
George Canning
George Canning PC, FRS was a British statesman and politician who served as Foreign Secretary and briefly Prime Minister.-Early life: 1770–1793:...
morning paper that would challenge The Times
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...
. Murray agreed to supply half of the capital, with Disraeli and John Diston Powles
John Diston Powles
John Diston Powles was an English businessman. In the mid-1820s he was heavily involved in the promotion of South American mining companies, and enlisted a young Benjamin Disraeli to write pamphlets promoting these mines, particularly those in Chile. Powles was involved in the creation of the St...
, a City speculator, each contributing one-quarter. Disraeli travelled to Chiefswood (near Melrose) to persuade John Gibson Lockhart
John Gibson Lockhart
John Gibson Lockhart , was a Scottish writer and editor. He is best known as the author of the definitive "Life" of Sir Walter Scott...
(Sir Walter Scott's son-in-law) to edit the paper; Lockhart declined, but agreed to serve as editor of Murray's Quarterly Review
Quarterly Review
The Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
and consult on the management of the paper. Disraeli returned to London and began preparations. Lockhart's suggestion that William Maginn
William Maginn
William Maginn , journalist and miscellaneous writer, born at Cork, became a contributor to Blackwood's Magazine, and after moving to London in 1824 became for a few months in 1826 the Paris correspondent to The Representative, a paper started by John Murray, the publisher...
be employed was accepted, and he was sent to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
as foreign correspondent, where he "drank much and wrote little." Offices were leased in the fashionable West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
on Great George Street, distant from both Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
and Grub Street
Grub Street
Until the early 19th century, Grub Street was a street close to London's impoverished Moorfields district that ran from Fore Street east of St Giles-without-Cripplegate north to Chiswell Street...
.
The Representative was launched on January 25, 1826, and apparently never had a proper editor–Disraeli quarrelled with Murray and later satirized him in a novel, Vivian Grey
Vivian Grey
Vivian Grey is Benjamin Disraeli's first novel, published by Henry Colburn in 1826. In 1827, a second volume was published. Originally published anonymously, ostensibly by a so-called "man of fashion," part 1 caused a considerable sensation in London society...
, as the "Marquess of Carabas." The "Rep's" politics were incoherent and advertising began slipping away almost immediately. Soon its nickname was the "demi-Rep." Maginn was brought back from Paris in March to try to salvage the paper, but it expired with much finger-pointing in the summer of 1826, and was merged with the New Times. Murray lost heavily (about £26,000) and never attempted another foray into newspaper publishing. Disraeli went on to a career in politics, eventually becoming Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
.