Daily Courant

The Daily Courant was reputed to be the world's first regular daily newspaper, commencing in 1702 from premises in Fleet Street.^[1]

It was first published on 11 March 1702 by Elizabeth Mallet from her premises "against the Ditch at Fleet Bridge". However, as people were not ready at the time to know the journal was published by a woman, she only signed E. Mallet. People therefore assumed that the Daily Courant was published by Edward Mallet, the husband of Elizabeth. The Daily Courant was thus the first newspaper published by a women in history.^[2] The paper existed until 1735 when it was merged with the Daily Gazetteer.^[3]

Description

The paper consisted of a single page with two columns. Mallet advertised that he intended to publish only foreign news and would not add any comments of his own, supposing other people to have "sense enough to make reflections for themselves."^[4]

Change of owner

Mallet soon sold the paper to Samuel Buckley, who moved it to premises in the area of Little Britain known as "the sign of the Dolphin". Buckley later became the printer of The Spectator.^[2]

Dispute

There is some dispute as to the Courant being the first publication of a daily newspaper. Norwich Post is claimed to have been published in 1701.^[5]

References

1. ^ Silk Tork (19 January 2006). "PUB CRAWLS OF LONDON PART TWO: FLEET STREET". Drinking in the Street. ratebeer. http://www.ratebeer.com/Story.asp?StoryID=577. Retrieved 9 April 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} The Daily Courant - Everything2.com
3. ^ Andrews, Alexander. The History of British Journalism. vol. 1, New York: Adamant Media, 2000, p. 101.
4. ^ What's The News;The Age Of Addison
5. ^ Speech by HRH The Prince of Wales titled The Role of Britain's Newspapers to mark the 300th anniversary of Fleet Street newspapers, St Bride's Church, London (11 March 2002)