James Fraser (publisher)
James Fraser emerged from an Inverness family in 1804. He established a publishing business at 215 Regent Street, London. This location became the hub for his many book publications. Among these works was Thomas Carlyle's Hero Worship. The relationship between the author and Fraser later appeared in J. A. Froude's biography of Carlyle. Froude described Fraser as infatuated with his dog's-meat tart of a magazine.
Fraser published Fraser's Magazine starting in February 1830. The publication took its name from barrister Hugh Fraser who founded it with William Maginn. Fraser himself referred to the periodical as The Town and Country. Thomas Carlyle contributed significantly to this magazine. His work gained prominence through this platform. The partnership between the publisher and the writer shaped the magazine's early identity. Their dealings became a notable part of literary history.
On the 3rd of August 1836 Grantley Berkeley assaulted Fraser. This violence followed the publication of criticism regarding Berkeley's novel Berkeley Castle. Cross actions were tried on the 3rd of December. Fraser sued for assault while Berkeley sued for libel. The court awarded damages of £100 for the assault. Libel damages totaled only £2. These legal battles defined Fraser's public life during the mid-1830s. The events highlighted tensions within the publishing world.
Contributors included Thomas Carlyle, William Makepeace Thackeray, James Hogg, Francis Sylvester Mahony, Thomas Love Peacock, J. A. Froude, and William Allingham. The Gallery of Illustrious Literary Characters ran from 1830 to 1838. It comprised 81 portraits mainly by Daniel Maclise with text by Maginn. In 1833 a quarto volume containing 34 of the portraits was issued. The complete gallery was republished in 1874 for the first time. Later editions like The Maclise Portrait Gallery appeared in London in 1883.
Fraser had one illegitimate son with a woman named Mary West. James Fitzjames Fraser West was born in 1833. He received medical tuition and practiced as a surgeon at Queen's Hospital, Birmingham. This lineage connected the publisher to the medical field in England. The son's career stood apart from his father's literary endeavors. His life represented a distinct path from the family business.
Fraser died on the 2nd of October 1841 at Argyll Street, London after a lingering illness. The magazine fell to his successor G. W. Nickisson whose name first appeared in 1842. Five years later it transferred to John William Parker. It continued under the same name until October 1882. The publication was then superseded by Longman's Magazine. This timeline marks the end of an era for Fraser's periodical.
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Common questions
When was James Fraser born and where did he originate from?
James Fraser emerged from an Inverness family in 1804. He established a publishing business at 215 Regent Street, London.
What magazine did James Fraser publish starting in February 1830?
Fraser published Fraser's Magazine starting in February 1830. The publication took its name from barrister Hugh Fraser who founded it with William Maginn.
Why did Grantley Berkeley assault James Fraser on the 3rd of August 1836?
On the 3rd of August 1836 Grantley Berkeley assaulted Fraser following the publication of criticism regarding Berkeley's novel Berkeley Castle. Cross actions were tried on the 3rd of December.
Who contributed to James Fraser's Magazine between 1830 and 1838?
Contributors included Thomas Carlyle, William Makepeace Thackeray, James Hogg, Francis Sylvester Mahony, Thomas Love Peacock, J. A. Froude, and William Allingham. The Gallery of Illustrious Literary Characters ran from 1830 to 1838.
How many portraits were issued in the quarto volume containing James Fraser's Gallery of Illustrious Literary Characters in 1833?
In 1833 a quarto volume containing 34 of the portraits was issued. The complete gallery was republished in 1874 for the first time.
When did James Fraser die and who succeeded him as publisher?
Fraser died on the 2nd of October 1841 at Argyll Street, London after a lingering illness. The magazine fell to his successor G. W. Nickisson whose name first appeared in 1842.