William Thomas Stead (5 July 1849 – 15 April 1912) was an English journalist and editor who, as a pioneer of investigative journalism, became a controversial figure of the Victorian era. Stead published a series of hugely influential campaigns whilst editor of The Pall Mall Gazette, and he is best known for his 1885 series of articles, The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon, written in support of a bill to raise the age of consent from 13 to 16, dubbed the "Stead Act."
Stead's 'new journalism' paved the way for the modern tabloid. He was influential in demonstrating how the press could be used to influence public opinion and government policy, and advocated "government by journalism". He was also well known for his reportage on child welfare, social legislation and reformation of England's criminal codes.
Stead was on board the RMS Titanic, losing his life when it sank in April 1912.
Read more about William Thomas Stead: Early Life, The Northern Echo, Pall Mall Gazette, Review of Reviews and Other Ventures, Spiritualism, Death On The Titanic, Reputation
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“Man was Cadaver’s masker, the harnessing mantle,
Windily master of man was the rotten fathom,
My ghost in his metal neptune
Forged in man’s mineral.
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“Love is feared: it dissolves society, it’s unpopular, and it’s very rare.”
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