The Economist newspaper first published in London

Background. James Wilson, a Scottish businessman and economist, left Scotland and migrated to London when he was nineteen. In 1843, he established The Economist as a newspaper to advance the repeal of the Corn Laws, a system of import tariffs. The publication was initially circulated to muster support for abolishing these laws, advancing the cause of free trade.

Founder. James Wilson (1805–1860) was the founder of The Economist. He acted as the chief editor and sole proprietor for sixteen years. A Liberal politician and economist, Wilson also founded the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China. His role in establishing the newspaper was central to its early identity as a campaign for free trade.

Original Purpose. The Economist was created to campaign for the repeal of the Corn Laws. A prospectus from August 1843 outlined thirteen areas of coverage, focusing on economics, business, and politics. The paper's early content reflected its advocacy for abolishing import tariffs, which later expanded into broader coverage of current events, finance, and commerce.