Olde News Is Still News: Renaissance Journalism

THE FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY'S EXHIBIT about early newspapers never addresses the current struggles of the industry. But curator Chris Kyle says the precipitous decline of many newspapers' revenues is an impetus for "Breaking News: Renaissance Journalism and the Birth of the Newspaper."

"We thought," said the history professor, "that with the attack on print media at the moment, as it's finding its place in a new online world, now was a good time to revisit the newspaper: where it came from, how it came about and how quickly it developed into something modern and recognizable."

"By 1640," Kyle continued, "20 years after the first newspaper comes into England, we've got classified advertising, the rise of the professional journalist, editorials, letters to the editor, illustrated news, subscription services and home delivery."

The Folger has scores of fascinating early newspapers. They are alien and antiquated and hard to read, like through-the-looking-glass reflections of the paper you hold. They were published by partisans, cranks and titans of commerce, and are sensational, bloody-minded and informative.

Perhaps most fun are the early tabloids — much like ours, with more dragons. Other publications provide a look at the chaotic politics of 17th-century England as it endured sectarian conflict, civil war, foreign-led revolution, the beheading of Charles I and so on.

While some call today's newspapers the first draft of history, others call it tomorrow's birdcage liner. "Breaking News" proves the truth of the former and demonstrates that, while methods of delivery are endlessly mutable, the public's appetite for the news remains a constant through the centuries.

» Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE; through Jan. 31, free; 202-544-7077. (Capitol South)

Written by Express contributor Tim Follos
Photo courtesy of Folger Shakespeare Library