The Satirist
Encyclopedia
The Satirist, or the Censor of the Times was a controversial 19th century British newspaper which featured reports of scandals involving well known residents of London. It was published by Barnard Gregory
, who faced multiple libel charges and was later imprisoned due to its articles. The Satirist was frequently criticised by commentators, and James Hain Friswell
described it as a "poor imitation of Town and Country
".
of over 9,000.
In many cases Gregory would send a draft of an article that he had prepared to the subject of the article and request a bribe to suppress its publication. This proved to be a lucrative practice for the paper. Gregory was sued for libel several times, however, and he was almost constantly involved in litigation during the eighteen years that he published the paper. Though the nature of the English justice system at the time made it difficult for slandered parties to enforce judgments against him, some wealthy targets of the paper managed to win cases against him, and he served several stints in prison as a result. In addition to legal attacks, some targets of the paper responded by publishing the same type of articles directed at the staff of The Satirist. After The Satirist published articles attacking the printer of the competing The Town
newspaper, The Town's publisher, Renton Nicholson
, retaliated with a series of scathing articles directed at Barnard Gregory.
and as minor as individuals cheating while playing cards. One topic that it frequently covered, however, was affairs between wealthy men and their female servants. The Satirist also editorialised about the mistreatment of the poor. Gregory used his paper to become a prominent critic of the practice of medical schools using the bodies of deceased paupers for dissections. It also attacked Tory
politics and published caricature
s of its targets, reserving special disdain for the Duke of Cumberland
and Queen Adelaide
. Other notable targets of the paper included Sir James Hogg and the Duke of Brunswick
. Both of these men brought Gregory to court over the articles he published about them and long legal court resulted. In one court battle between the Duke of Brunswick and Gregory, the Duke's lawyer claimed that The Satirist published, "divers indecent, obscene, lewd, filthy, and disgusting articles". Though it typically focused on stories set in London, The Satirist also published stories about foreign disasters.
The Satirist also had a sister publication known as the Penny Satirist which was devoted to exposing the transgressions of more obscure citizens.
Barnard Gregory
Barnard Gregory was a British journalist, publisher and actor. He published The Satirist from 1831 to 1849. He used this paper to publish the scandals of residents of London and often blackmailed his targets. Several articles that were published in the paper led to high profile libel suits. As a...
, who faced multiple libel charges and was later imprisoned due to its articles. The Satirist was frequently criticised by commentators, and James Hain Friswell
James Hain Friswell
James Hain Friswell was an English essayist and novelist.He was born at Newport, Shropshire, son of William Friswell, of 93 Wimpole Street, London, attorney-at-law, and educated at Apsley School, near Woburn, Bedfordshire...
described it as a "poor imitation of Town and Country
Town and Country Magazine
Town and Country Magazine was an 18th century London based publication that featured tales of scandals and affairs between members of London's upper classes.-History:...
".
History
The Satirist was first published on April 10, 1831, at that time it cost 7d. It was published weekly and released on Sundays. The paper became notorious for the allegations it published and the legal battles they provoked. The front page of the paper carried the motto, "Satire's my weapon. I was born a critic and a satirist; and my nurse remarked that I hissed as soon as I saw light". Though it never failed to gain an audience, public opinion eventually turned squarely against the paper. The Satirist published 924 issues, the last of which was released December 15, 1849. At its height the paper had a weekly circulationNewspaper circulation
A newspaper's circulation is the number of copies it distributes on an average day. Circulation is one of the principal factors used to set advertising rates. Circulation is not always the same as copies sold, often called paid circulation, since some newspapers are distributed without cost to the...
of over 9,000.
In many cases Gregory would send a draft of an article that he had prepared to the subject of the article and request a bribe to suppress its publication. This proved to be a lucrative practice for the paper. Gregory was sued for libel several times, however, and he was almost constantly involved in litigation during the eighteen years that he published the paper. Though the nature of the English justice system at the time made it difficult for slandered parties to enforce judgments against him, some wealthy targets of the paper managed to win cases against him, and he served several stints in prison as a result. In addition to legal attacks, some targets of the paper responded by publishing the same type of articles directed at the staff of The Satirist. After The Satirist published articles attacking the printer of the competing The Town
The Town (newspaper)
The Town was a British newspaper that was published between 1837 and 1840. It generally covered the scandals and nightlife of London. Many of the topics written about in the paper were considered extremely vulgar at the time and it was often criticized for discussing these topics...
newspaper, The Town's publisher, Renton Nicholson
Renton Nicholson
Renton Nicholson was an English impresario, businessman, actor, and writer. He is best known for his Judge and Jury Society performances and for his ownership of the newspaper The Town....
, retaliated with a series of scathing articles directed at Barnard Gregory.
Topics
The Satirist covered accusations as serious as arsonArson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
and as minor as individuals cheating while playing cards. One topic that it frequently covered, however, was affairs between wealthy men and their female servants. The Satirist also editorialised about the mistreatment of the poor. Gregory used his paper to become a prominent critic of the practice of medical schools using the bodies of deceased paupers for dissections. It also attacked Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
politics and published caricature
Caricature
A caricature is a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness. In literature, a caricature is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.Caricatures can be...
s of its targets, reserving special disdain for the Duke of Cumberland
Ernest Augustus I of Hanover
Ernest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
and Queen Adelaide
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and of Hanover as spouse of William IV of the United Kingdom. Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is named after her.-Early life:Adelaide was born on 13 August 1792 at Meiningen, Thuringia, Germany...
. Other notable targets of the paper included Sir James Hogg and the Duke of Brunswick
Charles II, Duke of Brunswick
Charles II , Duke of Brunswick, ruled the Duchy of Brunswick from 1815 until 1830.-Biography:Charles was the eldest son of Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. Both of these men brought Gregory to court over the articles he published about them and long legal court resulted. In one court battle between the Duke of Brunswick and Gregory, the Duke's lawyer claimed that The Satirist published, "divers indecent, obscene, lewd, filthy, and disgusting articles". Though it typically focused on stories set in London, The Satirist also published stories about foreign disasters.
The Satirist also had a sister publication known as the Penny Satirist which was devoted to exposing the transgressions of more obscure citizens.