The Examiner: A History of Publication and Evolution
The landscape of 19th-century journalism was shaped by the emergence of influential periodicals that provided critical commentary and news. Among these was The Examiner, a publication that evolved through various stages of frequency and editorial leadership to meet the demands of its readership.
The Founding of The Examiner
The Examiner first entered the public sphere on 12 March 1842. It was founded by James Aikenhead, who envisioned a publication capable of delivering impactful content. Alongside Aikenhead, the Reverend John West played an instrumental role in the establishment of the newspaper, serving as its very first editorial writer.
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Evolution of Publication Frequency
The newspaper's growth is mirrored in its shifting publication schedule. Initially, The Examiner operated as a weekly publication, appearing every Saturday. However, the demand for more frequent updates led to a change just six months later, when the paper added a Wednesday edition.
By 1853, the publication transitioned to a tri-weekly format, meaning it was published three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This pattern continued for over a decade until the paper attempted its first foray into daily publication.
The Shift to Daily News
On 10 April 1866, The Examiner began publishing daily. This high-frequency schedule was short-lived, lasting only until 16 February of the following year. Following this brief period, the paper returned to its tri-weekly schedule.
The tri-weekly cycle remained the standard for several more years until 21 December 1877, at which point The Examiner permanently returned to a daily publication format.
Key Facts
- Founded: 12 March 1842 by James Aikenhead.
- First Editorial Writer: The Reverend John West.
- Initial Frequency: Weekly (Saturdays).
- First Daily Launch: 10 April 1866.
- Final Transition: Returned to daily publication on 21 December 1877.
| Date/Period | Publication Frequency | Days of Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 12 March 1842 | Weekly | Saturdays |
| September 1842 | Bi-weekly | Wednesdays and Saturdays |
| 1853 | Tri-weekly | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays |
| 10 April 1866 | Daily | Every day |
| 16 February 1867 | Tri-weekly | Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays |
| 21 December 1877 | Daily | Every day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Examiner?
The Examiner was founded by James Aikenhead on 12 March 1842.
Who was the first person to write editorials for the paper?
The Reverend John West was instrumental in establishing the newspaper and served as its first editorial writer.
When did The Examiner first become a daily newspaper?
The paper first began daily publication on 10 April 1866, though this only lasted until February 1867.
What was the tri-weekly schedule of the paper?
During its tri-weekly periods, The Examiner was published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
When did the paper permanently return to daily publication?
The Examiner returned to a daily publication schedule on 21 December 1877.