STEAD, WILLIAM THOMAS ( , I _49-1912) , English journalist, was born at Embleton, Northumberland, on July 5, 1849, the son of a Congregational minister. He was early appren ticed in a merchant's office at Newcastle-on-Tyne ; he soon gravi tated, however, into journalism, and in 1871 became editor of the Darlington Northern Echo. In 188o he went to London to be assistant editor of the Pall Mall Gazette under John Morley, and when the latter retired he became editor (1883-1889). Up to 1885 he had distinguished himself for his vigorous handling of public affairs, and his brilliant modernity in the presentation of news. He introduced the "interview," made a feature of the Pall Mall "extras" (see also NEWSPAPERS : London), and his enterprise and originality exercised a potent influence on con temporary journalism and politics. In 1885 he entered upon a crusade against vice by publishing a series of artic:es on the "Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon." Though his action un doubtedly furthered the passing of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, it made his position on the paper impossible; and he was imprisoned in Holloway gaol for three months on a charge aris ing out of his crusade. On leaving the Pall Mall he founded the
monthly Review of Reviews (189o). He started cheap reprints (Penny Poets and Prose Classics, etc.), conducted a spiritualistic organ, called Borderland (1893-1897), in which he gave full play to his interest in psychical research; and became an enthusiastic supporter of the peace movement, and of many other movements, popular and unpopular. He wrote with facility and sensational fervour on all sorts of subjects, from The Truth about Russia (1888) to If Christ came to Chicago (1893), and from Mrs. Booth (1900) to The Americanization of the World (1902). In private life his keen sense of merit and kindly interest influenced many aspirants to journalism and literature. Stead went down in the "Titanic" on April 15, 1912.
See Life of TV. T. Stead (1913), by his daughter ; and F. Whyte, Life of W. T. Stead (1925).