William Pitt Byrne
Encyclopedia
William Pitt Byrne was a British newspaper editor and proprietor of The Morning Post.
He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge
with a B.A.
and M.A.
. He was admitted to the Inner Temple
in 1835 and called to the bar in 1839 but never practised law.
His father Nicholas Byrne was his predecessor as editor and proprietor of the Morning Post, about whom there is little biographical information in the historical record. Nicholas Byrne took a strongly pro-Tory
editorial stance, and his son was named after William Pitt the Younger
. He was mysteriously attacked by a masked intruder around 1833 and never fully recovered, dying of his injuries about two years later.
His mother was the Gothic novelist Charlotte Dacre
, who had three children with Nicholas: William Pitt Byrne (born 1806), Charles (born 1807) and Mary (born 1809); however the children were not baptised until 1811 and Nicholas and Charlotte did not marry until July 1, 1815. William Pitt Byrne was baptised on 8 Jun 1811 at St. Paul's, Covent Garden.
He married the writer Julia Clara Busk
on 28 April 1842. Her books were sometimes attributed to "Mrs. William Pitt Byrne", and for this reason some sources (particularly online book sellers) mistakenly attribute authorship of her books to her husband.
He broadened the focus of the Morning Post from being a mostly political journal by including more general topics. He ended his connection with the paper prior to his death to follow literary pursuits, contributing to leading journals.
in London
; the fountain is still in existence and is a Grade II listed monument. The fountain has an associated plaque.
He was buried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
at Kensal Green
in London.
He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
. He was admitted to the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1835 and called to the bar in 1839 but never practised law.
His father Nicholas Byrne was his predecessor as editor and proprietor of the Morning Post, about whom there is little biographical information in the historical record. Nicholas Byrne took a strongly pro-Tory
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
editorial stance, and his son was named after William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger
William Pitt the Younger was a British politician of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became the youngest Prime Minister in 1783 at the age of 24 . He left office in 1801, but was Prime Minister again from 1804 until his death in 1806...
. He was mysteriously attacked by a masked intruder around 1833 and never fully recovered, dying of his injuries about two years later.
His mother was the Gothic novelist Charlotte Dacre
Charlotte Dacre
Charlotte Dacre was an English author of Gothic novels.Most references to her today are under the name Charlotte Dacre, but she first wrote under the pseudonym Rosa Matilda, and later adopted a second pseudonym to tease and confuse her critics...
, who had three children with Nicholas: William Pitt Byrne (born 1806), Charles (born 1807) and Mary (born 1809); however the children were not baptised until 1811 and Nicholas and Charlotte did not marry until July 1, 1815. William Pitt Byrne was baptised on 8 Jun 1811 at St. Paul's, Covent Garden.
He married the writer Julia Clara Busk
Julia Clara Byrne
Julia Clara Pitt Byrne was a British author of memoirs about celebrities of her time, as well as more serious social commentary....
on 28 April 1842. Her books were sometimes attributed to "Mrs. William Pitt Byrne", and for this reason some sources (particularly online book sellers) mistakenly attribute authorship of her books to her husband.
He broadened the focus of the Morning Post from being a mostly political journal by including more general topics. He ended his connection with the paper prior to his death to follow literary pursuits, contributing to leading journals.
Memorial fountain and tomb
After his death, his wife and friends built a memorial fountain in his name in 1862 or 1863, at the south end of Bryanston SquareBryanston Square
Bryanston Square is a square in Marylebone, Westminster, London, England. Named after its owner Henry William Portman's home village of Bryanston in Dorset, it was built as part of the Portman Estate between 1810 and 1815, along with Montagu Square a little to the east and Wyndham Place to its...
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...
; the fountain is still in existence and is a Grade II listed monument. The fountain has an associated plaque.
He was buried in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery is located at Kensal Green in London, and has its own .-History:Established in 1858, the 29 acre site was built next door to the much larger Anglican & Non-Conformist Kensal Green Cemetery...
at Kensal Green
Kensal Green
Kensal Green, also referred to as Kensal Rise is an area of London, England. It is located on the southern edge of the London Borough of Brent and borders the City of Westminster to the East and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the South....
in London.