Jerdan, WILLIAM

Jerdan, WILLIAM, an active journalist, born at Kelso in 1782. He removed to London in 1804, reported for the short-lived Aurora and the Pilot evening newspaper, next joined the staff of the Morning Post, and subsequently reported during three sessions for the British Press, contributing at the same time to the Satirist, or Monthly Meteor, the copyright of which he purchased. It was he who seized Bellingham after he had murdered Spencer Percival in the lobby of the House of Commons on 11th May 1812. In 1813 Jerdan became editor of the Sun, but sold his share in 1817 to found the Literary Gazette, which he edited for thirty-three years. He lent his support to establish the Royal Society of Literature and the Melodists' Club, and in 1830 commenced the Foreign Literary Gazette, which died, however, in its thirteenth number. In 1852 Jerdan was granted a pension of £100, while a testimonial was presented to him subscribed to by many of the first men of the day. He published his Autobiography in 4 volumes in 1852-53, and in 1866 Men I have known. He died in 1869.