British Library project puts 200 years of UK newspapers online

18/06/2009 13:19:00

The content has been chosen by historical experts, aimed at presenting a cross section of 19th century society in the areas of business, sport, politics and entertainment.

The collection focuses on national newspapers including The Times and Daily News and regional titles like the Manchester Times. Also featured are weekly titles like The Penny Illustrated Paper and The Graphic.

It includes ground breaking reports such as those of Times foreign correspondent William "Billy" Russell whose dispatches for the paper included his sensational account of the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade on October 25, 1854 and later made famous in Tennyson's poem.

The British Library said: "Users are now able to read first-hand factual reporting of the Battle of Trafalgar in the Examiner and the gory details of the Whitechapel murders in the melodramatic Illustrated Police News.

"Alternatively, researchers can access reports directly at their desktops on the first FA Cup final between Wanderers and Royal Engineers at the Kenington Oval in 1872 or the first England-Australia Test match in 1877. Some of the most famous authors of the 19th century are also represented, including Dickens and Thackeray."

Searches of the site are free and downloads of full-text articles are available by purchasing either a 24-hour or seven-day pass. Users can buy a 24-hour pass, good for up to 100 downloads for £6.99 or a seven-day pass for 200 downloads for £9.99.

Access to The Graphic and The Penny Illustrated Paper is free.

Simon Bell, the British Library's head of product development, said: "There's a huge appetite for wider online access to this kind of resource, which is already well-used by Readers at the British Library and by people in higher and further education.

"The new pay-as-you-go service will enable users across the UK who don't wish to travel to our Reading Rooms in London or Yorkshire to delve into this unrivalled online resource."

Source: Brand Republic

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