The Gentleman’s Magazine · An Introduction to Views of England and Wales · Centre for Regional and Local History Theses and Papers

The Gentleman’s Magazine was one of the first general-interest periodicals and ran for nearly 200 years between 1731 and 1922. It was founded by Edward Cave (1691–1754) and began as a digest of London newspapers and periodicals for country consumers, as indicated by Cave’s editorial pseudonym, Sylvanus Urban. Cave famously coined the term ‘magazine’ to describe a periodical.[1]

Phenomenon observed near Warrington.

The Gentleman’s Magazine proved to be very popular and each issue featured news and commentary on a mix of subjects including antiquarian studies, art, history, literature, medicine, natural sciences, poetry, politics, theatre and many more.[2] The prints in each issue reflect the breadth of subjects. One particularly interesting and unusual print depicts a waterspout that appeared near Warrington, Cheshire on Friday 16th June 1798 (see the print above). The subjects of other prints from The Gentleman's Magazine in our collection include ruins, an ecclesiastical seal, a prison, a chestnut tree, schools, curiosities and a country house (see below).

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Curiosities found in Feb. 1787, at Oddington, Gloucestershire.

The Gentleman's Magazine has a strong link to Leicester and its famous printer and antiquarian John Nichols (b. 1745) who wrote the History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester.[3] Nichols joined The Gentleman’s Magazine as joint editor with David Henry in 1778, and was sole editor from 1792 until his death in 1826.[4] During his tenure he wrote many pieces for the magazine and oversaw a period of great success.

Chapel and school in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

[1] Barker, A. D., 'Cave, Edward', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography <https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/4921> [accessed 10 March 2023].

[2] Ibid.

[3] All four volumes of Nichols, J., The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester (London: John Nichols; John Nichols & Son, 1795-1811) can all be viewed online at University of Leicester Special Collections Online <https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p15407coll6/id/15789/rec/1> [accessed 10 March 2023].

[4] Barker, A. D., 'Cave, Edward', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography <https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/4921> [accessed 10 March 2023].