Satirical Journalism

Abstract

This chapter discusses satire, in both literary and visual form, as an element in British and Irish journalism in the twentieth century. It reviews specifically anti-establishment journals such as Dublin Opinion and Private Eye, but also considers the work of notable individual satirical journalists in the mainstream press such as D.B. Wyndham Lewis and J.B. Morton (‘Beachcomber’) in the Daily Express and Brian O’Nolan (‘Myles na gCopaleen’) and Donal Foley in the Irish Times. There is particular emphasis on political cartoons, perhaps the most popular and influential form of satirical journalism in the twentieth century. There is a rich history of cartooning in Britain and Ireland, starting with the innovative work of W.K. Haselden in the Daily Mirror and Percy Fearon (‘Poy’) in the Daily Mail, and with many outstanding later practitioners of the art – for example, David Low, Osbert Lancester, Charles E. Kelly, Gerald Scarfe, Mel Calman, Peter Brookes, Steve Bell, Nicola Jennings and Martyn Turner.