Newspapers, Periodicals and the Spectator

Mission Brief #33

Two London essayists set out to make philosophy as ordinary as morning coffee, and published a new essay six days a week.

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⚡ The twist

There's always more than one side to the story.

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The 18th century saw an explosion of printed news and commentary. In England, the end of pre-publication licensing in 1695 allowed newspapers to multiply; the first daily, the Daily Courant, began in 1702. Joseph Addison and Richard Steele's The Spectator (1711 to 1712) published short essays on manners, morals, taste and ideas, aiming, Addison wrote, to bring philosophy 'out of closets and libraries' into clubs, assemblies and coffeehouses.

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Such periodicals taught a growing middle-class readership how to discuss ideas politely and gave them a shared stock of opinions. Across Europe, journals reviewed new books, summarized scientific discoveries and circulated debates. Yet freedom varied widely: in France most political news was controlled, and many lively papers were printed in the Netherlands and smuggled in. The periodical press created a regular, affordable way for Enlightenment ideas to reach readers who would never open a philosophical treatise.

Key facts

Remember these

1England's Licensing Act lapsed in 1695, ending pre-publication censorship there.
2The Daily Courant, launched in 1702, was London's first daily newspaper.
3The Spectator was published daily from March 1711 to December 1712.
4Many French-language newspapers were printed in the Dutch Republic, beyond French censors.

Timeline

When it happened

1695
The Licensing Act lapses in England.
1702
The Daily Courant becomes London's first daily newspaper.
1709
Steele launches The Tatler.
1711
Addison and Steele begin The Spectator.

Places to know

Where it happened

London
51.51° N, 0.13° W
Amsterdam
52.37° N, 4.90° E

Then & Now

Opinion columns, blogs and newsletters continue the tradition of short essays that help readers discuss public questions.

Mind = blown

The Spectator was printed as a single sheet sold daily; collected editions were later reprinted for well over a century as models of good English prose.

Question 1 of 3

What change in 1695 helped English newspapers multiply?

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Question 2 of 3

What did Addison mean by bringing philosophy 'out of closets and libraries'?

How sure?😐 maybe

Question 3 of 3

Why were many French-language newspapers printed in the Dutch Republic?

How sure?😐 maybe

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