This book explores a key aspect of journalism history from a sociological perspective: the rise of the periodical press. With a focus not on the economic and technological causes of this revolution but on the social and political consequences, the book takes a global look at this key development in the British press.

Taking as a point of departure the theory of E.S. Dallas, who defined the periodical as 'the great event in modern history', the book explores these premises and conclusions regarding authorship, publishing, and readership, considering the nineteenth century as a whole. After an introductory section discussing questions of theory and method, the analysis first offers an overview of the quantitative growth of the periodical market, whether measured in terms of publications, readership, or authorship, before turning to a more detailed consideration of its qualitative determinants and effects, again distinguishing the same three aspects.

Offering new insight into this key turning point in journalism history, this book will be of interest to all students and scholars of journalism and journalism history, media history, media and communication studies, British history, and modern history.