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The Daily Courant

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The Daily Courant was the first regular daily newspaper to be published in the United Kingdom.

It was first published on 11 March 1702 by Elizabeth Mallet from rooms above the White Hart pub in Fleet Street [1], which he described as being: "against the Ditch at Fleet Bridge". [2] The paper lasted until 1735.[3]

Description

The paper consisted of a single page with two columns. Mallet advertised that she intended to publish only foreign news, and claimed that she would not take upon herself to add any comments of her 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, near St Bartholomew's Hospital, known as "the sign of the Dolphin". Buckley later became the printer of The Spectator.

Eventual fate

The Daily Courant was merged with the Daily Gazetteer in 1735.[citation needed]

Dispute

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

References

  1. ^ SilkTork (2006-01-19). "Fleet Street". RateBeer.com.[1]
  2. ^ The Daily Courant - Everything2.com
  3. ^ Mercurius Politicus. "NEWSPAPERS". Bexley Council. [2]
  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)