Michael James Whitty facts for kids
Michael James Whitty was an important person in the world of newspapers in the 1800s. He was born in 1795 in a place called Nicharee, in County Wexford, Ireland. He later moved to England and became a well-known newspaper editor and owner. He passed away on June 10, 1873, in Liverpool.
Whitty grew up in Wexford, Ireland. His father was a farmer, a maltster (someone who makes malt for brewing), and a shipowner. From a young age, Michael loved journalism, which is all about writing and publishing news. He went to school at St Peter's College, Wexford.
In 1821, Michael Whitty married Mary O'Neill in Dublin. Soon after, they moved to London, the capital of England. Later, they settled in Liverpool, a big city with a busy port.
A Career in Public Service
Michael Whitty spent eleven years working as the Chief Constable for Liverpool. This was a very important job, like being the head of the police force in the city. He retired from this role on January 22, 1847.
Fighting for Free Newspapers
After his time as Chief Constable, Whitty focused on something he felt strongly about: making newspapers more affordable for everyone. At the time, newspapers had to pay a special tax called the Stamp Act. This tax made newspapers expensive, so not many people could afford to buy them.
Whitty believed that news should be easy for everyone to get. He worked hard to get rid of the Stamp Act, campaigning for its removal. He wanted to make sure that people could read the news without it costing too much.
Starting the Daily Post
Thanks to the efforts of people like Whitty, the Stamp Act was finally removed. This was a big victory! After the tax was gone, Michael Whitty decided to start his own newspaper. He launched the Daily Post.
He sold his new newspaper for just one penny. This was a very low price, much cheaper than other newspapers at the time, like the Liverpool Mercury. By selling his paper so cheaply, Whitty made it possible for many more people to read the news every day. This helped his newspaper become very popular.
Legacy
Michael James Whitty passed away in 1873 and was buried in Anfield Cemetery in Liverpool. His work had a lasting impact on journalism.
His family also continued to be involved in public life and the arts. His son, Edward Michael Whitty, became a journalist, just like his father. Michael Whitty's granddaughter, Dame May Whitty, became a famous actress.
