Magazines

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

periodical publications, usually monthly, and generally limited to fiction and articles of current interest, largely illustrated, the word meaning a "store room" of interesting literature. This form of publication on had its origin as far back as 1663, when the French historian, Mézeray, attempted to establish a weekly journal of literary comment, but failed. Two years later, in 1665, the first successful magazine was established, in the "Journal des Savants," in which were reviewed new books and other matters of literary interest. In the English language Daniel Defoe, the author of "Robinson Crusoe," may properly be considered the father of the magazine, in that he instituted the practice of publishing periodical journals. The oldest of this class of works, however, is the "Gentleman's Magazine," founded in 1731, in London, by Edward Cave. In America the first magazine was published in Philadelphia, on Feb. 13, 1741, by Andrew Bradford, and edited by John Webbe. The idea, however, originated with Benjamin Franklin, who incautiously divulged his project of publishing such a periodical to Webbe. Franklin did, in fact, issue the first number of his "General Magazine" three days after the appearance of Bradford's publication, on February 16, 1741, but through Webbe's dishonorable act lost the honor of having issued the first American magazine. Webbe's publication died after its second issue, while Franklin's survived through six numbers. Before the Revolution sixteen magazines were published in the Colonies, and forty more appeared before the close of the century, most of them failing shortly after their appearance. Of the modern magazines in this country the first was "Harper's," founded in New York in 1850. The "Atlantic Monthly" was es tablished in Boston in 1857, and was subsequently edited by such prominent literary men as Lowell, Fields, Howells, Aldrich, and Scudder. "Scribner's" was founded in 1870, but was later merged in to the "Century Magazine." The appearance of "Munsey's Magazine," in 1889, introduced a new type of magazines in this country; that containing stirring fiction with a wide popular appeal, with profuse illustrations, sold at low prices, usually ten cents. The "Ladies' Home Journal," also a popular publication, is the representative type of still another class, which adds to its fiction other matters of everyday interest. It has had many imitators, some of which now approach it close as a rival in its large circulation, reaching close to two million readers.