Encyclopedia.com > Encyclopedias, Almanacs, Transcripts, and Maps > The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature > January 2003

Punch, or The London Charivari

The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature | 2003 | 700+ words | Copyright

Punch, or The London Charivari, an illustrated weekly comic periodical, founded 1841; at first a rather strongly Radical paper, gradually becoming less political. It ceased publication in 1992.

It appears that the idea of starting in London a comic paper first occurred to Ebenezer Landells, draughtsman and wood-engraver, who submitted it to Mayhew. Mayhew enlisted the support of Lemon and Joseph Stirling Coyne (1803–68), who became the first joint-editors. The first number was issued on 17 July 1841. Gilbert Abbott À Beckett and Jerrold were among the original staff, soon joined by Thackeray, Hood, Leech, and Tenniel.

The most famous drawing for the cover, by R. Doyle, was used from 1849 to 1956, when it was replaced by a full-colour design, different each week.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Punch, or The London Charivari." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Punch, or The London Charivari." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-PunchorTheLondonCharivari.html

MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Punch, or The London Charivari." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-PunchorTheLondonCharivari.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: