John Hyslop Bell
Encyclopedia
John Hyslop Bell was a journalist, newspaper owner and editor. Born in Scotland, he made his name as proprietor and editor of the South Durham Mercury in Hartlepool
, which was at the time, County Durham's
only morning newspaper. In 1870, at the request of the powerful Pease family in Darlington, he founded The Northern Echo
, ostensibly to counter the rhetoric of rival papers, the Darlington & Stockton Times
and the Darlington Mercury.
A stalwart Liberal and Gladstonian, and a formidable journalist in his own right, he gained prominence within the Liberal Party
through his tireless efforts for the causes of industrial arbitration and education, and was an early advocate of Irish Home Rule.
But arguably his greatest contribution to journalism lay in his discovery of W.T. Stead
, whom he installed as editor of The Northern Echo in 1871 at the age of just 22.
When Stead left to join the Pall Mall Gazette
in 1880, Bell's search for a suitable replacement was only partially successful and, perhaps frustrated by this, or troubled by discontent within the Liberal Party itself, he severed ties with the Echo in 1889. Thereafter, he seems to have hit on hard times, and in 1894, a £3000 fund was raised for him by the Liberal Party in appreciation of his "great public services during his long connection with journalism in the North of England." In 1897, he became Coroner for Stockton-on-Tees and died in 1920.
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a town and port in North East England.It was founded in the 7th century AD, around the Northumbrian monastery of Hartlepool Abbey. The village grew during the Middle Ages and developed a harbour which served as the official port of the County Palatine of Durham. A railway link from...
, which was at the time, County Durham's
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
only morning newspaper. In 1870, at the request of the powerful Pease family in Darlington, he founded The Northern Echo
The Northern Echo
The Northern Echo is a leading daily regional morning newspaper, serving the North East of England. The paper is based in Priestgate, Darlington. Its covers national as well as regional news. It is one of the UK's most famous provincial newspaper titles....
, ostensibly to counter the rhetoric of rival papers, the Darlington & Stockton Times
Darlington & Stockton Times
The Darlington & Stockton Times also known as the D&S Times is a regional weekly newspaper serving the north-east of England. The paper is based in Priestgate, Darlington....
and the Darlington Mercury.
A stalwart Liberal and Gladstonian, and a formidable journalist in his own right, he gained prominence within the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
through his tireless efforts for the causes of industrial arbitration and education, and was an early advocate of Irish Home Rule.
But arguably his greatest contribution to journalism lay in his discovery of W.T. Stead
William Thomas Stead
William Thomas Stead was an English journalist and editor who, as one of the early pioneers of investigative journalism, became one of the most controversial figures of the Victorian era. His 'New Journalism' paved the way for today's tabloid press...
, whom he installed as editor of The Northern Echo in 1871 at the age of just 22.
When Stead left to join the Pall Mall Gazette
Pall Mall Gazette
The Pall Mall Gazette was an evening newspaper founded in London on 7 February 1865 by George Murray Smith; its first editor was Frederick Greenwood...
in 1880, Bell's search for a suitable replacement was only partially successful and, perhaps frustrated by this, or troubled by discontent within the Liberal Party itself, he severed ties with the Echo in 1889. Thereafter, he seems to have hit on hard times, and in 1894, a £3000 fund was raised for him by the Liberal Party in appreciation of his "great public services during his long connection with journalism in the North of England." In 1897, he became Coroner for Stockton-on-Tees and died in 1920.
Additional reading
- Chris Lloyd, Attacking the Devil: 150 Years of the Northern Echo (Darlington, 1999)