Wt stead biography of martin

There’s a footnote about W.T. Stead in my new book, Bad News.

Wt stead biography of martin

But he’s such a fascinating character that he’s deserving of much more than that. So here’s a reminder of the biography published a few years back and which is still a cracking read…

William Thomas Stead, who died on the Titanic, was not only Britain’s first investigative journalist, he also epitomised the profession’s strengths and dark side within his own career.

He was at times brilliant, unearthing horrors and using the power of publicity to secure reform, and at times appalling, bending the truth and ruining people’s lives as he abandoned accuracy for melodramatic fiction.

Central to this mixed record was his ‘purchase’ in 1885 of a 13-year-old child, Eliza Armstrong, and transportation of her to a brothel, supposedly to expose child prostitution.

He took the stunt far further than necessary, forcibly, deceitfully and unnecessarily keeping the family