Edward Hulton (senior)

Edward Hulton (1838 – 23 May 1904) was a British newspaper proprietor and entrepreneur. He is best known for founding the Hulton Press, which became a major force in British journalism, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Hulton started his career in the printing trade. He built his empire from humble beginnings in Lancashire, eventually establishing a significant presence in Manchester's burgeoning media landscape. His key publications included the Manchester Evening Chronicle, which he acquired in 1879 and transformed into a highly successful evening newspaper. He also founded the Sporting Chronicle, catering to the growing interest in sports reporting.

Hulton's success was driven by an understanding of the popular press and the needs of a rapidly expanding urban readership. He focused on producing accessible, informative, and entertaining content. He built a distribution network that enabled his newspapers to reach a wide audience, contributing significantly to their commercial success.

He was succeeded in his business by his son, Sir Edward Hulton, 1st Baronet, who further expanded the Hulton Press empire. The legacy of Edward Hulton (senior) lies in his pioneering work in popular journalism and the establishment of a newspaper dynasty that shaped British media for decades.