John Walter (editor, born 1776)
John Walter (23 February 1776 – 28 July 1847) was the son of John Walter, the founder of The Times, and succeeded his father as the newspaper's second editor.
Life
He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Trinity College, Oxford. About 1798 he was associated with his elder brother in the management of his father's business, and in 1803 became not only sole manager, but also editor of The Times.[1]
Walter expresses his opposition to the administration of William Pitt the Younger, which cost him government advertisements and the loss of his appointment as printer to the Customs. It also brought the hostility of officials.[1] When the King of Portugal sent him, via the Portuguese ambassador, a service of gold plate, he returned it.
Walter insisted on the anonymity of those whom he hired. From about 1810, he delegated to others editorial supervision, first to Sir John Stoddart, then to Thomas Barnes, and in 1841 to John Thadeus Delane, though never the ultimate direction of policy.
In 1830, Walter purchased an estate called Bearwood at Sindlesham in Berkshire where he built a house, afterwards rebuilt by his son. He was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire the same year. Two years later, he was elected to Parliament for the county, and retained his seat till 1837. In 1841 he was returned to Parliament for Nottingham, but was unseated the following year on petition. He was twice married, and by his second wife, Mary Smythe, had a family. His eldest son, John, also worked in the newspaper. He died in London on 28 July 1847.
References
- 1 2
"Walter, John (1776-1847)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Hugh Chisholm (1911). "Walter, John". In Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John Walter
- Works by or about John Walter in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert Throckmorton Robert Palmer |
Member of Parliament for Berkshire 1832–1837 With: Robert Throckmorton 1832–1835 Robert Palmer 1832–1837 Philip Pusey 1835–1837 |
Succeeded by Robert Palmer Philip Pusey The Viscount Barrington |
| Preceded by Sir Ronald Craufurd Ferguson Sir John Cam Hobhouse |
Member of Parliament for Nottingham 1841–1841 With: Sir John Cam Hobhouse |
Succeeded by Sir John Cam Hobhouse George Larpent |
| Preceded by Sir John Cam Hobhouse George Larpent |
Member of Parliament for Nottingham 1842–1843 With: Sir John Cam Hobhouse |
Succeeded by Sir John Cam Hobhouse Thomas Gisborne |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by George Henry Cherry |
High Sheriff of Berkshire 1830 |
Succeeded by John Eyston |
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