The Public Ledger
Encyclopedia
The Public Ledger is one of the world's longest continuously-running magazines. Today it provides agricultural commodity news and prices. When established in 1760, however, it not only contained prices of commodities in London
, but a wide variety of political, commercial and society news and commentary. It was established by John Newbery
, who was better known for his pioneering children's literature. The Public Ledger was London's fourth daily newspaper in a golden age from 1730 to 1772 for 'Advertisers' - two-page advertising-driven newspapers set up after political parties withdrew subsidies to London newspapers.
The Public Ledger is published by Informa plc
, which also publishes Lloyd's List, the shipping journal that can trace its origins back to 1734. It is also in a stable of agricultural and bioenergy newsletters and conferences at AgraNet. Both in print and web forms, it provides its international subscribers with news, prices and analysis for agricultural commodities such as grains, feed and oilseeds; soft commodities including coffee, cocoa and sugar; and minor commodities such as spices, dried fruit and nuts.
, son of a farmer in Berkshire, took an apprenticeship with William Carnan in Reading, inheriting the business after his mentor's death. He moved to London in 1743, setting up a shop called the Bible and Sun at 65 St. Paul's Churchyard, from where he published religious and children's books and The Public Ledger. In 18th Century England it was common for political parties to hold sway (and even subsidise) newspapers. As this trend wanes, The Public Ledger took on the mantra 'Open to All Parties, Influenced by None'.
was known to have written for The Public Ledger, including most famously the Chinese Letters where he poses as a traveller from China to comment on Western behaviour and values. He also mentions "The Ledger" in his novel The Vicar of Wakefield
.
Reverend William Jackson
, a noted Irish preacher, journalist, playwright, radical and spy, was editor in 1766, while Irish political informant Leonard MacNally
held the position in the 1780s. Hugh Kelly, an Irish dramatist and poet, also held the post before his death in 1777, while Alexander Chalmers
did so some time after 1777.
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...
, but a wide variety of political, commercial and society news and commentary. It was established by John Newbery
John Newbery
John Newbery was an English publisher of books who first made children's literature a sustainable and profitable part of the literary market. He also supported and published the works of Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson...
, who was better known for his pioneering children's literature. The Public Ledger was London's fourth daily newspaper in a golden age from 1730 to 1772 for 'Advertisers' - two-page advertising-driven newspapers set up after political parties withdrew subsidies to London newspapers.
The Public Ledger is published by Informa plc
Informa plc
Informa plc is a multinational publishing and conference company with its head office in Zug, Switzerland and its registered office in St Helier, Jersey. It has offices in more than 43 countries and more than 8,500 employees...
, which also publishes Lloyd's List, the shipping journal that can trace its origins back to 1734. It is also in a stable of agricultural and bioenergy newsletters and conferences at AgraNet. Both in print and web forms, it provides its international subscribers with news, prices and analysis for agricultural commodities such as grains, feed and oilseeds; soft commodities including coffee, cocoa and sugar; and minor commodities such as spices, dried fruit and nuts.
History
Most sources suggest The Public Ledger was first published on January 11 1760, though some suggest 1759 and others January 12 1760. Founder John NewberyJohn Newbery
John Newbery was an English publisher of books who first made children's literature a sustainable and profitable part of the literary market. He also supported and published the works of Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson...
, son of a farmer in Berkshire, took an apprenticeship with William Carnan in Reading, inheriting the business after his mentor's death. He moved to London in 1743, setting up a shop called the Bible and Sun at 65 St. Paul's Churchyard, from where he published religious and children's books and The Public Ledger. In 18th Century England it was common for political parties to hold sway (and even subsidise) newspapers. As this trend wanes, The Public Ledger took on the mantra 'Open to All Parties, Influenced by None'.
Personnel
On October 25 2009, staff included Ian Hart as Editor; Julian Gale as Deputy Editor; Matthew Pendered as Prices Reporter; and Amy Roskilly and Emile Mehmet as Specialist Reporters. A number of freelance staff are also employed around the world.Former Personnel
Oliver GoldsmithOliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith was an Irish writer, poet and physician known for his novel The Vicar of Wakefield , his pastoral poem The Deserted Village , and his plays The Good-Natur'd Man and She Stoops to Conquer...
was known to have written for The Public Ledger, including most famously the Chinese Letters where he poses as a traveller from China to comment on Western behaviour and values. He also mentions "The Ledger" in his novel The Vicar of Wakefield
The Vicar of Wakefield
The Vicar of Wakefield is a novel by Irish author Oliver Goldsmith. It was written in 1761 and 1762, and published in 1766, and was one of the most popular and widely read 18th-century novels among Victorians...
.
Reverend William Jackson
Reverend William Jackson
The Reverend William Jackson was a noted Irish preacher, journalist, playwright, radical, and spy who lived much of his life outside of his homeland.-Early life:...
, a noted Irish preacher, journalist, playwright, radical and spy, was editor in 1766, while Irish political informant Leonard MacNally
Leonard MacNally
Leonard MacNally buried in Donnybrook Cemetery, Ireland was one of the most infamous government informants against members of the Society of United Irishmen....
held the position in the 1780s. Hugh Kelly, an Irish dramatist and poet, also held the post before his death in 1777, while Alexander Chalmers
Alexander Chalmers
Alexander Chalmers was a Scottish writer.He was born in Aberdeen.Trained as a doctor, he gave up medicine for journalism, and was for some time editor of the Morning Herald...
did so some time after 1777.