Brother Jonathan (newspaper)

Brother Jonathan was a weekly illustrated literary and news publication published in New York City from 1839 to 1863. It was notable for its large format, initially a mammoth folio measuring around 24 by 32 inches, and for being one of the earliest and most successful of the "mammoth weeklies" of the 19th century.

The paper was founded by Benjamin H. Day, Sr., previously the founder of the New York Sun, and Park Benjamin, Sr., a prominent literary figure. Its content included serialized novels, short stories, poetry, news reports (often reprinted from other newspapers), travelogues, and engravings. The illustrations were a key element of its appeal, depicting scenes from daily life, historical events, and fictional narratives. It aimed to be a family-friendly publication offering a wide range of reading material.

Brother Jonathan was known for its aggressive use of low pricing and subscription tactics to gain a large readership. It pioneered techniques such as offering premiums (gifts) to subscribers. Its cheap price and accessible content made it popular among a broad audience, including working-class readers.

The newspaper’s size and reliance on reprinting content contributed to its eventual decline. As tastes changed and competition from other publications increased, Brother Jonathan ceased publication in 1863. Although short-lived compared to some of its contemporaries, Brother Jonathan left a lasting impact on the landscape of 19th-century American publishing.