The Bystander, 1903-1940 Coming Soon
The Bystander shall not be glanced through and then thrown away, but read as well
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Register your InterestDiscover the leisure activities, interests, and attitudes of Britain’s wealthy classes, at a time of profound socio-cultural change
Launched under the auspices of George Holt Thomas (the son of social reformer William Luson Thomas) in 1903, The Bystander went on to join a series of publications belonging to The Illustrated London News (ILN). In 1940, it merged with its "sister" title, The Tatler, which subsequently became known as The Tatler and Bystander. Like its successor, The Bystander maintained a focus on British High Society, and appealed to a conservative and affluent readership. Printing articles on theatre, sports, and fashion, the publication reflected everyday life in Britain’s elite social circles, often in a whimsical and satirical tone. This collection includes over 136,000 images from nearly 2,000 issues of The Bystander, published between December 1903 and October 1940.
Whilst The Bystander often made for light-hearted reading – including the latest gossip on the aristocracy, advice on antique shopping, or coverage of hunting, golf, and fishing – it also provided a platform for some of the most influential writers and artists of the day. For example, the paper published short stories by esteemed authors such as Daphne du Maurier and Hector Hugh Munro – better known by his pseudonym "Saki" – as well as contributions from humourist Bruce Bairnsfather (most notably, his highly popular "Old Bill" cartoons, which emerged during the First World War). At the same time, like other titles in British Illustrated Periodicals, 1869-1970, this publication frequently encapsulated the racism and discrimination that pervaded contemporary British society. For this reason, The Bystander not only yields essential material for those working in the fields of literary studies and art history, but also the history of empire, race, and ethnicity.
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Highlights
Licensed to access ‘Where Slaves are Slaves’
27th November 1907:
This piece (image 31) reveals both the continued existence of slavery at the turn of the twentieth century, as well as the British establishment’s routine trivialisation and perpetuation of racial discrimination.
Licensed to access ‘Jews and Judeophobes’
3rd December 1913:
Commenting on the political situation in pre-war Germany, this article (image 30) denounces antisemitism as a ‘German’ problem whilst, ironically, reinforcing antisemitic stereotypes for a British audience.
Licensed to access ‘Terror’
26th December 1928:
In this short story by Daphne Du Maurier (images 24 and 25), by a young girl’s evening takes a sinister turn after she starts hearing noises.
Licensed to access ‘Sex and Work’
22nd April 1931:
In this column (image 38), Lady Hamilton Grant reflects on the problems that men face as a result of their sexual desires in the presence of female colleagues, and, in turn, the repercussions of ‘sex appeal’ on women.
Insights
Whilst The Bystander kept its readership abreast of current affairs in regular sections such as "The Bystander’s Notes", it often prioritised more light-hearted content, above all aiming to entertain its readership. For instance, instead of discussing foreign affairs, the paper’s "From Abroad" section contained travel advice and reviews of popular holiday resorts.
Though it maintained a jovial and satirical tone, The Bystander remained supportive of the British establishment, and lent its support to imperialism abroad. For example, it frequently perpetuated racist and xenophobic stereotypes, and even made light of the institution of slavery.
The Bystander printed many of Bruce Bairnsfather’s "Old Bill" cartoons, which provide extensive insights into contemporary understandings of the First World War in Britain. As historian Libby Murphy indicates, "Bairnsfather had captured the spirit of 'the simple man caught in the vortex of a war of unaccustomed complexity', and had offered Old Bill and the gang 'in proof that human nature and humour survive in the heart of horrors'".
As with its "sister" titles, The Bystander featured contributions from (and discussions of) those at the forefront of British literature and art. Notably, it was the first publication to print stories by Daphne Du Maurier, one of the most popular British novelists of the twentieth century whose uncle – William Comyns Beaumont – edited The Bystander.
The Bystander reveals the evolving diet of its readership, with its regular "Menu" section providing everyday recipes and culinary inspiration for those hosting dinner-parties. Similarly, with its "London Nights" columns, it traces the development of restaurant culture in Britain’s capital. As historian Phil Lyon illustrates, dining out became increasingly prevalent in the interwar years: though "a night out" at a London restaurant was already popular among wealthy Britons, by the 1930s "conditions were now right for the pleasures of dining out to be extended more regularly to other sections of society."
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