Punch (magazine)

Punch was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 1850s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration.

History

After the 1940s, when its circulation peaked, it went into a long decline, closing in 1992. It was revived in 1996, but closed again in 2002.

Punch was founded on 17 July 1841 by Henry Mayhew and wood-engraver Ebenezer Landells, on an initial investment of £25. It was jointly edited by Mayhew and Mark Lemon. It was subtitled The London Charivari in homage to Charles Philipon's French satirical humour magazine Le Charivari.

Reflecting their satiric and humorous intent, the two editors took for their name and masthead the anarchic glove puppet, Mr. Punch, of Punch and Judy; the name also referred to a joke made early on about one of the magazine's first editors, Lemon, that "punch is nothing without lemon".

Content and Contributors

Punch's humour was often sharp and aggressive, directed at various contemporary social institutions, like the church, the monarchy, and the political system. The magazine was also known for its satirical cartoons and caricatures, and for its commentary on British life and manners.

Over the years, Punch magazine was home to many well-known cartoonists and illustrators, including John Tenniel, Richard Doyle, John Leech, and Charles Keene. The magazine also published the works of great writers like William Makepeace Thackeray, Thomas Hood, and Shirley Brooks.

Legacy

Punch was widely emulated; it influenced not only other British humour and satirical magazines, but also newspapers and magazines around the world. Its iconic Mr. Punch character became the mascot of British humour.

Despite its sometimes controversial content, Punch played a significant role in shaping the British sense of humour, and its influence can still be seen in many aspects of British culture.

See also

• History of British newspapers
• History of British comics
• Victorian era