Figure 1.--"The Grafic was an important English news magazine into the 20th century. This issue is September 24, 1921. Boy Scout leaders are hoisting the British flag on the "Quest" before the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition sets out from London.

The Graphic magazine was on of the most notable publications of Victorian England. The magazine was an illustrated weekly publication edited by the social reformer, William Luson Thomas. One of the most important artist working for Te Graphic was Luke Fildes. Thomas believed that the inherent power of visual images could be ued to affect public opinion. He was interested in moving public opinion on issues such as poverty and injustice. The first edition of the The Graphic magazine appeared in December 1869. Thomas asked Fildes to illustrate an article on the Houseless Poor Act, a new law that permitted some of the unfortunate people in a work house out for a night. Fildes illustration showed a line of homeless people applying for tickets to stay overnight in the workhouse. The engraving was entitled "Houseless and Hungry" was noted by rtist John Everett Millais. He mentioned it to Charles Dickens who was very impressed. Dickens commissioned Fildes to illustrate his newest novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The magazine was not entirely devoted to articles with social relevancy, but was a general news magazine. There were many features about notable individuals, such as in this case deLesseps. The illusrrations in Graphic were engravings. Until the turn of the 20th century, it was not possible to print a photographic. Thus the illustrations in the magazine were engravings like the one seen here. The Graphic magazine did continue printing into the 20th century and began illustrating its articles with photographs after the turn of the century.

The Magazine

The Graphic magazine was on of the most notable publications of Victorian England. The magazine was an illustrated weekly publication edited by the social reformer, William Luson Thomas.

Artists

One of the most important artist working for The Graphic was Luke Fildes. Thomas for the first issue in 1869 asked Fildes to illustrate an article on the Houseless Poor Act, a new law that permitted some of the unfortunate people in a work house out for a night. Fildes illustration showed a line of homeless people applying for tickets to stay overnight in the workhouse. The engraving was entitled "Houseless and Hungry" was noted by artist John Everett Millais. He mentioned it to Charles Dickens who was very impressed. Dickens commissioned Fildes to illustrate his newest novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Social Concerns

Thomas believed that the inherent power of visual images could be ued to affect public opinion. He was interested in moving public opinion on issues such as poverty and injustice.

Chronology

The first edition of the The Graphic magazine appeared in December 1869. We are not sure when publication added, but we notice issues into the 1920s.

Content

The magazine was not entirely devoted to articles with social relevancy, but was a general news magazine. There were many features about notable individuals. This included politicans inventors, royalty, and others. The illustrations were jist not of the famous individuals, but of their families as well. One example from an 1881 issues was Ferdinand de Lesseps who at the time was trying to build a canal in Panama. We notice that The Graphic gave considerable attention to Scouting.

Illustrations

The illustrations in The Graphic were engravings. Until the turn of the 20th century, it was not possible to print a photographic. Thus the illustrations in the magazine were engravings like the one seen here. The Graphic magazine did continue printing into the 20th century and began illustrating its articles with photographs after the turn of the century.

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Created: December 5, 2003
Last updated: December 5, 2003