John le Sage
Encyclopedia
John Merry Le Sage was a British journalist and newspaper editor.
Born in Clifton, Bristol
, Le Sage was the son of John Sage and his wife Elizabeth, née Godfrey; Le Sage would adopt the "Le" for his last name during middle age. He began his career in journalism when he was employed as a reporter for The Torquay Directory and South Devon Journal, later working for the Western Morning News
. In 1863, he obtained a position with The Daily Telegraph
in London
, beginning an association with the paper that would last for sixty years.
Le Sage worked primarily as a foreign correspondent. Though not regarded as a great writer, he was best known for providing the first reports of the German troops marching into Paris
during the Franco-Prussian War
in 1871. He was also present during the period of the Paris Commune
, as well as the coronation of Tsar Alexander III
. He enjoyed a good relationship with first Joseph Moses Levy
and then his son Edward Levy-Lawson
, successive owners of the Daily Telegraph. When the senior Levy died, Le Sage was named as editor, though Levy-Lawson exercised firm control over the newspaper until he became Baron Burnham in 1903. As editor, Le Sage continued the traditions laid out by his predecessors, focusing on the middle class reader and ignoring criticism of his practices.
Though Le Sage proved a successful editor, by the early 20th century he was having difficulties keeping up with changes in the journalistic profession. Hampered by his age and an unwillingness to delegate responsibility, he nonetheless continued on as editor and was knighted in 1918 in recognition for his services to journalism. Le Sage retired from his post in June 1923 and died on New Year's Day, 1926, at his home in Fulham
.
Born in Clifton, Bristol
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
, Le Sage was the son of John Sage and his wife Elizabeth, née Godfrey; Le Sage would adopt the "Le" for his last name during middle age. He began his career in journalism when he was employed as a reporter for The Torquay Directory and South Devon Journal, later working for the Western Morning News
Western Morning News
The Western Morning News is a politically independent daily regional newspaper founded in 1860 and covering Devon and Cornwall and parts of Somerset and Dorset.-Organisation:...
. In 1863, he obtained a position with The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
in London
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...
, beginning an association with the paper that would last for sixty years.
Le Sage worked primarily as a foreign correspondent. Though not regarded as a great writer, he was best known for providing the first reports of the German troops marching into Paris
Siege of Paris
The Siege of Paris, lasting from September 19, 1870 – January 28, 1871, and the consequent capture of the city by Prussian forces led to French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire as well as the Paris Commune....
during the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
in 1871. He was also present during the period of the Paris Commune
Paris Commune
The Paris Commune was a government that briefly ruled Paris from March 18 to May 28, 1871. It existed before the split between anarchists and Marxists had taken place, and it is hailed by both groups as the first assumption of power by the working class during the Industrial Revolution...
, as well as the coronation of Tsar Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
. He enjoyed a good relationship with first Joseph Moses Levy
Joseph Moses Levy
Joseph Moses Levy was a newspaper editor and publisher.The son of Moses Levy and Helena Moses, he was educated at Bruce Castle School, after which he was sent to Germany to learn the printing trade. When he returned to England he established a printing company in Shoe Lane, Fleet Street...
and then his son Edward Levy-Lawson
Edward Levy-Lawson, 1st Baron Burnham
Edward Levy-Lawson, 1st Baron Burnham KCVO , known as Sir Edward Levy-Lawson, 1st Baronet, from 1892 to 1903, was a British newspaper proprietor....
, successive owners of the Daily Telegraph. When the senior Levy died, Le Sage was named as editor, though Levy-Lawson exercised firm control over the newspaper until he became Baron Burnham in 1903. As editor, Le Sage continued the traditions laid out by his predecessors, focusing on the middle class reader and ignoring criticism of his practices.
Though Le Sage proved a successful editor, by the early 20th century he was having difficulties keeping up with changes in the journalistic profession. Hampered by his age and an unwillingness to delegate responsibility, he nonetheless continued on as editor and was knighted in 1918 in recognition for his services to journalism. Le Sage retired from his post in June 1923 and died on New Year's Day, 1926, at his home in Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
.