Category:Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country
Title: Fraser’s Magazine
Editor: William Maginn, Francis Sylvester Mahoney, George William Nickisson, John William Parker, Jr., James Anthony Froude, William Allingham
Publisher: James Fraser, George William Nickisson, John William Parker
When it was created in 1830 by Hugh Fraser and William Maginn, Fraser’s Magazine was not primarily intended to serve artistic ends. Instead, this “literary miscellany” was written in view of the social conditions of the time, with particular attention to political and religious issues.[1] It was by no means unbiased in these views: “That our leanings have been Conservative throughout, we freely allow,” acknowledged then-editor John Parker, Jr., two decades after the magazine began circulation.[2] The political nature of the magazine largely endeared it to an audience of those who had the power to vote: middle and upper class men.[3]
Narrow as the audience may have been, the subject matter was remarkably varied, going beyond political to religious, scientific, and literary realms. Addressing such a broad spectrum of issues lent itself to an equally diverse range of forms, including poetry, commentaries, syndicated novels, reviews, and informative articles. Many of these, in particular the biographical sketches, were written satirically or as parodies. In this way, Maginn drew upon his prior experience as a regular contributor to Blackwood’s Magazine with a mind to outdo his former employers. Ironically, it was the rejection of some of his work by the editors of Blackwood’s that lead Maginn to establish Fraser’s Magazine, over which he would have full editorial power.[4]
Following Maginn’s departure after six years, the editorship of Fraser’s Magazine would pass through many hands during the rest of its fifty-two-year run. Though many things changed during that time, the magazine remained an “outstanding organ . . . of progressive thought.” [5] Notable contributors include Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Carlyle, William Thackeray, and Francis Mahoney. [6]
Notes
Submitted by: Shumway, Jacob: section 1, Fall 2014
Articles in category "Fraser's Magazine for Town and Country"
The following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total.
