British Weekly facts for kids
The British Weekly was a very important newspaper that started in 1886. It was known as "A Journal of Social and Christian Progress." This newspaper was one of the most successful religious papers of its time. A company called Hodder & Stoughton published it. It helped shape ideas for a group called the 'Nonconformist conscience'. This group included Christians who were not part of the main Church of England.
Contents
How the British Weekly Started and Grew
The British Weekly was founded by William Robertson Nicoll. He was the official editor until he passed away in 1923. However, his assistant, Jane T. Stoddart, did most of the editing work.
Jane T. Stoddart's Role
Jane T. Stoddart became a full-time journalist in 1890. She was the assistant editor for the British Weekly. This paper was the main newspaper for nonconformist Christians in London. Jane Stoddart became the paper's main interviewer. She often wrote her interviews using the name "Lorna." She was also a strong supporter of the Liberal Imperialist political ideas. She had a lot of influence on nonconformist opinions.
Why the British Weekly Was Important
The British Weekly became very influential among "free churches." These are Christian groups that are not the official Church of England or the Roman Catholic church. Nicoll wanted the paper to share "liberal nonconformist opinion." He succeeded, and the paper's circulation reached 100,000 copies!
New Ideas in Journalism
Nicoll started the paper to introduce nonconformist readers to the best culture of the time. He also wanted to promote a liberal political way of thinking. He used a style called "New Journalism." This style included:
- Interviews with famous people
- Using pictures and photos
- Special extra sections
- Investigative reporting (looking deeply into stories)
- Exciting headlines
- Stories published in parts over time
The British Weekly helped share the ideas of the 'Nonconformist conscience'. It supported equal rights for all religions and better education for everyone. Many people saw it as one of the most successful religious newspapers of its time. It was a major voice for nonconformist Christians in Britain.
Christian socialist and publisher Arthur Mee believed the British Weekly was the most influential religious newspaper in Britain.
What Happened Later
In the 1960s, The British Weekly took over another paper called The Christian World. Then, in the 1970s, it was sold to Christian Weekly Newspapers. This company also published the Church of England Newspaper. The paper's editing office moved from Edinburgh to London's Fleet Street in 1967. It was sold completely in 1970.
