The Bystander, 1903-1940 - Key Data Coming Soon

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.