Stephen Jones (editor)
Encyclopedia
Stephen Jones was an English literary editor
, best known for his revision of the Biographia Dramatica.
(1722–1780), he was born in London in 1763, and admitted to St Paul's School, London on 24 April 1775. He was first placed under a sculptor, but afterwards apprenticed to a printer in Fetter Lane
. On the expiration of his indentures he became a corrector for the press.
He was employed by William Strahan
for four years, and afterwards by Thomas Wright in Peterborough Court. On Wright's death, in March 1797, he undertook the editorship of the Whitehall Evening Post
; with the decline of that journal he was appointed to the management, and became part proprietor, of the General Evening Post; which also declined in circulation, and was ultimately merged in the St. James's Chronicle. From 1797 to 1814 he compiled from the newspapers and other periodicals an amusing annual volume entitled ‘The Spirit of the Public Journals,’ of which a new series, with illustrations by George Cruikshank
, appeared in 1823–5.
On the death of Isaac Reed
, in 1807, he became editor of the European Magazine; a committed freemason, for some years he ran the Freemasons' Magazine. In the end he had little literary employment. He died in Upper King Street, now Southampton Row
, Holborn, on 20 Dec. 1827. He married his first cousin, Christian, daughter of his uncle Griffith Jones.
Literary editor
A literary editor is an editor in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication who deals with aspects concerning literature and books, especially reviews. A literary editor may also help with editing books themselves, by providing services such as proof reading, copy-editing, and literary...
, best known for his revision of the Biographia Dramatica.
Life
Eldest son of Giles Jones, secretary to the York Buildings Water Company, and nephew of Griffith JonesGriffith Jones
Griffith Jones may refer to:*Griffith Jones , Llanddowror, who established circulating schools in Wales*Griffith Jones , appointed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1690, later Mayor of Philadelphia...
(1722–1780), he was born in London in 1763, and admitted to St Paul's School, London on 24 April 1775. He was first placed under a sculptor, but afterwards apprenticed to a printer in Fetter Lane
Fetter Lane
Fetter Lane is a street in the ward of Farringdon Without in London England. It runs from Fleet Street in the south to Holborn in the north.The earliest mention of the street is "faitereslane" in 1312. The name occurs with several spellings until it settles down about 1612. There is no agreement...
. On the expiration of his indentures he became a corrector for the press.
He was employed by William Strahan
William Strahan
William Strahan was a Scottish printer and publisher, and a Member of Parliament.Born in Edinburgh as William Strachan, and educated at the Royal High School, Strahan was originally apprenticed to an Edinburgh printer but became a Master Printer in London...
for four years, and afterwards by Thomas Wright in Peterborough Court. On Wright's death, in March 1797, he undertook the editorship of the Whitehall Evening Post
Whitehall Evening Post
The Whitehall Evening Post was a London newspaper, founded in 1718.It was started in September 1718 by Daniel Defoe; and was then published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Defoe left it in June 1720, but it continued to exist until the end of the century. It closed in 1801, with issue...
; with the decline of that journal he was appointed to the management, and became part proprietor, of the General Evening Post; which also declined in circulation, and was ultimately merged in the St. James's Chronicle. From 1797 to 1814 he compiled from the newspapers and other periodicals an amusing annual volume entitled ‘The Spirit of the Public Journals,’ of which a new series, with illustrations by George Cruikshank
George Cruikshank
George Cruikshank was a British caricaturist and book illustrator, praised as the "modern Hogarth" during his life. His book illustrations for his friend Charles Dickens, and many other authors, reached an international audience.-Early life:Cruikshank was born in London...
, appeared in 1823–5.
On the death of Isaac Reed
Isaac Reed
Isaac Reed was an English Shakespearean editor.-Life:The son of a baker, he was born in London. He was articled to a solicitor, and eventually set up as a conveyancer at Staple Inn, where he had a large practice.-Works:...
, in 1807, he became editor of the European Magazine; a committed freemason, for some years he ran the Freemasons' Magazine. In the end he had little literary employment. He died in Upper King Street, now Southampton Row
Southampton Row
Southampton Row is major thoroughfare running northwest-southeast in Bloomsbury, Camden, central London, England. The road is designated as part of the A4200.- Location :To the north, Southampton Row adjoins the southeast corner of Russell Square...
, Holborn, on 20 Dec. 1827. He married his first cousin, Christian, daughter of his uncle Griffith Jones.
Works
His main publications are:- ‘Monthly Beauties,’ 1793.
- ‘The History of Poland,’ 1795.
- ‘A new Biographical Dictionary in Miniature,’ 2nd edit., London, 1796; 3rd edit., 1799; 4th edit., 1802; 5th edit., 1805; 6th edit., 1811; 8th edit., 1840.
- ‘Masonic Miscellanies, in poetry and prose,’ London, 1797.
- ‘Sheridan Improved. A general Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language,’ London, 1798; 9th edit., London, 1804; stereotype edit., revised, London, 1816.
- ‘Gray's Poetical Works, with illustrations,’ 1800.
- ‘The Life and Adventures of a Fly’ [1800?].
- ‘Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy,’ an edition in 2 vols., 1800.
- ‘Dr. John Blair's Chronology, continued to 1802,’ London, 1803.
- A new edition of Thomas DaviesThomas Davies (bookseller)Thomas Davies was a Scottish bookseller and author. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and was for several years on the Stage; but having been ridiculed by Churchill in The Rosciad he gave up acting and opened a bookshop in Covent Garden. It was here that in 1763 he introduced Boswell to Dr...
's ‘Life of Garrick,’ with additions, 2 vols., 1808. * ‘Biographia Dramatica; or a Companion to the Playhouse: containing Historical and Critical Memoirs and Original Anecdotes of British and Irish Dramatic Writers. … Originally compiled to the year 1764 by David Erskine BakerDavid Erskine Baker-Life:David Erskine Baker was the son of Henry Baker, F.R.S., and his wife, the youngest daughter of Daniel Defoe. Baker was born in the parish of St Dunstan-in-the-West in the City of London, on 30 January 1730, and named after his godfather, David Erskine, 9th Earl of Buchan...
, continued thence to 1782 by Isaac ReedIsaac ReedIsaac Reed was an English Shakespearean editor.-Life:The son of a baker, he was born in London. He was articled to a solicitor, and eventually set up as a conveyancer at Staple Inn, where he had a large practice.-Works:...
, and brought down to the end of November 1811, with very considerable Additions and Improvements throughout, by Stephen Jones,’ 3 vols. in 4, London, 1812. This edition superseded the former editions of 1764 and 1782. It was criticised by Octavius Gilchrist in the Quarterly ReviewQuarterly ReviewThe Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
, and the attack elicited from Jones a pamphlet entitled ‘Hypercriticism Exposed 1812. - ‘A Vindication of Masonry from a charge of having given rise to the French Revolution,’ in Dr. George Oliver's ‘Golden Remains of the early Masonic Writers,’ London, 1847, iii. 246.