Founded in 1842, The Illustrated London News is the granddaddy of the weekly illustrated-newspapers.  As a young man, Frank Leslie (born Henry Carter) worked for the publication as an engraver for six years before immigrating in 1848 to the United States, where he founded Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper in 1855.

HarpWeek has selected and presents the content (about 8%) of The London Illustrated News relating to the United States (or “America,” as it was referred to after the Civil War began).  As a foreign publication, it offers a distinct viewpoint and valuable insight concerning press coverage of the American Civil War, which are not obtainable from any other primary source.

The diplomatic position of Great Britain was a vital interest to both the Union and the Confederate states.  The South believed that “King Cotton” (English reliance on Southern cotton) would prove a powerful economic incentive for the British government to recognize Confederate independence.  Meanwhile, the Lincoln administration worked diligently to prevent such an occurrence.  Although many in the British working class favored the Union cause (especially after the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863), the ruling class leaned heavily toward the Confederacy, and it is the latter perspective, which is reflected in The Illustrated London News.  Its news stories and editorials present the unfolding diplomatic and economic machinations of the three sides—Britain, the Union, and the Confederacy—as well as the contentious issue of the refitting of Confederate warships in British ports.

In addition, The Illustrated London News published the work of Frank Vizetelly, the only professional artist who traveled with Confederate armies, sketching and reporting what he saw.  Although many of Vizetelly’s drawings and descriptive commentaries never made it past the Union blockade of Confederate ports, his illustrations and text related to the battles of Vicksburg, Charleston, Chattanooga, and other incidents did.  The publication of Vizetelly’s work in The Illustrated London News provides a unique visual perspective on the American Civil War.

 

 

 

Website design © 2000-2007 HarpWeek LLC
All Content © 1998-2007 HarpWeek, LLC
Please submit questions to support@harpweek.com