Category:The Family Economist

Title: The Family Economist

Publisher: Groombridge and Sons

The Family Economist began publishing its monthly penny magazine in 1848 with the purpose of instructing on everyday domestic and social issues. In the first article of the first edition, the magazine reported that its mission was “one of instruction and benefit to all. One in which all have an interest. It is to help the industrious classes improve their condition, and suggest means to increase their domestic truth and faithfulness which its great importance demands.” The Family Economist devotes itself to the instruction of the family with such subjects as income and expenditure, food and cooking, clothes, child raising, health and sickness, education, life advancement, and sanitary matters. Writers of the magazine wrote, “we intend all to be of the useful kind, and to have for object and aim the increase of comfort and happiness.”^[1] The Family Economist was published by Groombridge and Sons in London. The magazine ran monthly from 1848 to 1854. Richard Barrett was the printer during those years and the average cost was one pence.^[2] In 1860, The Family Economist merged with the magazine Family Friend and began publishing through Houlston and Wright with H. Tuck in charge of printing.^[3] Known contributors during these years of publications include Bernard Barton, Ester Copley, Martin Doyle, Mrs. Hawkshawe, Harriet Martineau, Burns Meteyard, Gray Meteyard, and Watts Phillips.^[4] The readability of The Family Economist lies in its wide range of subjects that involve family and social interests. The magazine staff made it their job to help those struggling within their home and family life by writing and explaining the details of duties within the home. “Our mission will be to explain these details to the uninformed, to enforce them upon the careless, and to illustrate and set forth various departments of household economy, in every possible form and way.” ^[5] The Family Economist dedicated itself to helping the citizens and families of London.^[6]

Notes

1. ↑ “Our Mission,” The Family Economist, Vol. 1, London: Groombridge and Sons, January 1848, 1. Print.
2. ↑ WD
3. ↑ WD
4. ↑ WD
5. ↑ “Our Mission,” The Family Economist, Vol. 1, London: Groombridge and Sons, January 1848, 1. Print.
6. ↑ WD

Submitted by: Bahr, Stephanie: section 1, Winter 2013