The Town (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
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. Renton Nicholson
, the editor and part owner of the paper, became embroiled in several legal disputes due to the articles that he published.
The Town influenced a number of other publications. Among the notable papers that it influenced include Peter Spy and Paul Pry. Some American
papers directly copied material that was first published in The Town without crediting them.
, who later worked for Punch
, contributed many drawings of London residents to The Town. He often depicted controversial figures in London society on the first page of the paper. Ebenezer Landells
was another early contributor who later moved to Punch.
Although he was initially the editor of the paper, Nicholson later purchased an ownership stake in the paper. He wrote most of the early features in the paper himself, but eventually hired new writers to author most of the articles. He hired Edward Litt Laman Blanchard
to write for The Town when Blanchard was only seventeen years old. Blanchard wrote for the paper from 1837 to 1839, contributing what he later described as "social essays and dramatic notices". He later reflected fondly on his days with the paper.
characterized it as "atrociously blackguard". Its articles covered subjects that most other publications refused to discuss. Some claimed that the paper was known for "invading private life and holding up respectable men to ridicule". Some commentators praised The Town for exposing swindlers.
The vice society once indicted Nicholson for "corrupting public morals" because of articles that he published. He claimed that this charge was retaliation against him for bringing the transgressions of powerful people to light.
, who published The Satirist
, engaged in a high-profile campaign against The Town. Gregory first attacked Joseph Last in The Satirist. After reading of the attack, Nicholson retaliated against Gregory in several articles that were published in The Town. Gregory then pressed charges against Nicholson because of the content of the articles. The case never went to trial because Gregory was soon imprisoned due to an unrelated case.
Though the controversy initially fueled the paper's sales, the circulation decreased sharply after the controversy subsided. The paper never recovered and folded in 1840.
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....
, the editor and part owner of the paper, became embroiled in several legal disputes due to the articles that he published.
Content
The Town was founded by the printer Joseph Last in order to cover the "flash life" culture of London. Last initially hired his friend Renton Nicholson to serve as editor. Nicholson later became a part owner of the paper. The first issue of The Town was published in June 1837. The paper consisted of four pages in a large format featuring illustrations. Frequent topics discussed included scandals, theatre and taverns. They often published drawings of waitresses and courtesans. In the early days of its publication, The Town underwent rapid growth.The Town influenced a number of other publications. Among the notable papers that it influenced include Peter Spy and Paul Pry. Some American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
papers directly copied material that was first published in The Town without crediting them.
Contributors
Archibald HenningArchibald Henning
Archibald Henning was a British illustrator best known for the illustrations that he drew for Punch. Before working for Punch, he first contributed drawings to The Town. This was a paper known for reporting on scandals that was owned by Renton Nicholson and was published from 1837 to 1840...
, who later worked for Punch
Punch (magazine)
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration...
, contributed many drawings of London residents to The Town. He often depicted controversial figures in London society on the first page of the paper. Ebenezer Landells
Ebenezer Landells
Ebenezer Landells was an English wood-engraver, illustrator, and magazine proprietor....
was another early contributor who later moved to Punch.
Although he was initially the editor of the paper, Nicholson later purchased an ownership stake in the paper. He wrote most of the early features in the paper himself, but eventually hired new writers to author most of the articles. He hired Edward Litt Laman Blanchard
Edward Litt Laman Blanchard
Edward Litt Laman Blanchard, often referred to as E. L. Blanchard, was an English writer who is best known for his contributions to the Drury Lane pantomime. He began writing plays and other literature to support himself as a teenager after his father died...
to write for The Town when Blanchard was only seventeen years old. Blanchard wrote for the paper from 1837 to 1839, contributing what he later described as "social essays and dramatic notices". He later reflected fondly on his days with the paper.
Criticism
Many commentators attacked The Town for its vulgarity. Edmund YatesEdmund Yates
Edmund Hodgson Yates was a British novelist and dramatist. He was born in Edinburgh to the actor and theatre manager Frederick Henry Yates and held an appointment for a period of time in the General Post Office as an adult...
characterized it as "atrociously blackguard". Its articles covered subjects that most other publications refused to discuss. Some claimed that the paper was known for "invading private life and holding up respectable men to ridicule". Some commentators praised The Town for exposing swindlers.
The vice society once indicted Nicholson for "corrupting public morals" because of articles that he published. He claimed that this charge was retaliation against him for bringing the transgressions of powerful people to light.
Controversy
Barnard GregoryBarnard 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 published The Satirist
The Satirist
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...
, engaged in a high-profile campaign against The Town. Gregory first attacked Joseph Last in The Satirist. After reading of the attack, Nicholson retaliated against Gregory in several articles that were published in The Town. Gregory then pressed charges against Nicholson because of the content of the articles. The case never went to trial because Gregory was soon imprisoned due to an unrelated case.
Though the controversy initially fueled the paper's sales, the circulation decreased sharply after the controversy subsided. The paper never recovered and folded in 1840.