Thomas Wemyss Reid
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Wemyss Reid (29 March 1842 – 26 February 1905) was a British newspaper editor, novelist and biographer.
(1870–87), he won the right for provincial newspapers to be admitted to the House of Commons press gallery.
After being connected with various provincial newspapers – including as editor of the Leeds Mercury – he came to London in 1887 as manager for Cassell & Co, the London publishers.
From 1890–99, he edited his own moderate Liberal magazine The Speaker
and wrote a number of biographies, including one of Charlotte Bronte
. He also wrote a book on Tunisia, "Land of the Bey", and a number of popular novels, including Gladys Fane.
He was knighted in 1894. Reid died in 1905 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
, London.
He pronounced Heathcliff, from Wuthering Heights, "the greatest villain of literature." (From "A character study from "Wuthering Heights," The Nassau Literary Magazine (1848–1908); Apr 1879; 34, 9; American Periodicals Series Online).
Career
He became chief reporter on the Newcastle Journal aged 19. While working on the Leeds MercuryLeeds Mercury
The Leeds Mercury was a newspaper in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was published from 1718 to 1755 and again from 1767. Initially it consisted of 12 pages and cost three halfpennies. In 1794 it had a circulation of about 3,000 copies, and in 1797 the cost rose to sixpence because of increased...
(1870–87), he won the right for provincial newspapers to be admitted to the House of Commons press gallery.
After being connected with various provincial newspapers – including as editor of the Leeds Mercury – he came to London in 1887 as manager for Cassell & Co, the London publishers.
From 1890–99, he edited his own moderate Liberal magazine The Speaker
The Speaker
The Speaker is a 2009 British television series, broadcast on BBC Two. It is a talent show type series that aimed to find the best young speaker in the United Kingdom. The show is narrated by Jane Horrocks...
and wrote a number of biographies, including one of Charlotte Bronte
Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood, whose novels are English literature standards...
. He also wrote a book on Tunisia, "Land of the Bey", and a number of popular novels, including Gladys Fane.
He was knighted in 1894. Reid died in 1905 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
, London.
Writings
Among his more permanent writings are:- The Land of the Bey (1882),
- Gladys Fane (1883),
- and Lives of William Edward ForsterWilliam Edward ForsterWilliam Edward Forster PC, FRS was an English industrialist, philanthropist and Liberal Party statesman.-Early life:...
(1888), and Lords HoughtonRichard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron HoughtonRichard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron Houghton FRS was an English poet, patron of literature and politician.-Background and education:...
(1891), and PlayfairLyon Playfair, 1st Baron PlayfairLyon Playfair, 1st Baron Playfair GCB, PC, FRS was a Scottish scientist and Liberal politician.-Background and education:...
(1899), and William Black, Novelist (1902).
He pronounced Heathcliff, from Wuthering Heights, "the greatest villain of literature." (From "A character study from "Wuthering Heights," The Nassau Literary Magazine (1848–1908); Apr 1879; 34, 9; American Periodicals Series Online).
External links
- Life of William Edward Forster by Thomas Wemyss Reid, Chapman and Hall, 1888
- Life of the Right Honourable William Edward Forster, by Thomas Wemyss Reid, Chapman & Hall, 1889
- The Life, Letters, and Friendships of Richard Monckton Milnes, First Lord Houghton, by Thomas Wemyss Reid, Cassell and Company, 1890
- William Black: Novelist, by Thomas Wemyss Reid, Cassell and Company, 1902