|
||||
|
The Magnet |
||||
| The Magnet, published by Harmsworth Press (later
Amalgamated Press), first appeared on the 8th February 1908. It ran for a
total of 1683 weekly editions; the final one appearing (without notice of
its impending demise) on the 18th May 1940. The circulation had been
falling, but the cessation of publication was put down to the war time
paper shortages.
Charles Hamilton, already writing a weekly story for Harmsworth's sister paper the Gem, under the name of Martin Clifford, was asked to write for the Magnet. George Orwell famously accused Frank Richards of being incapable of writing all the stories in an article in Horizon magazine entitled On Boys' Papers. Hamilton vigorously denied this; but some 300 stories were written by other authors (all under the by-line of Frank Richards). These authors have become known as substitute authors. The weekly doings of the Famous Five and the boys of the Remove at Greyfriars School were to become essential reading for over 30 years. But, above all other characters, on other was to stand out above the rest - more accurately, laterally! - Billy Bunter. |
||||
|
To be Continued |
||||