William Luson Thomas

At one time he worked for the Illustrated London News, and became convinced that pictures could have a powerful influence on public opinion, especially on political issues.

In December 1869 he co-founded a new weekly illustrated newspaper, called The Graphic with his brother Lewis Samuel Thomas (d.

[2] Important to the project was the recruitment of a number of brilliant artists to help illustrate it including Godefroy Durand who moved from Paris to London to work for the newspaper full time.

He hoped that illustrated news would inspire people to campaign against various evils in Victorian society, including poverty and crime.

His newspapers achieved a significant readership throughout the British Empire and in the United States.