Stanley Spooner

Stanley Spooner (20 November 1856[1][2][3]– 3 April 1940[4][5]), was an editor and journalist. He was originally the creator and editor of an automobile journal in 1896 called The Automotor And Horseless Vehicle Journal.[5] The title was changed to The Automotor Journal, in April 1902.[6] In January 1909, he was the creator and editor of the first aeronautical weekly magazine in the world called Flight, now titled Flight International.[7] After the success of Flight, his Automotor Journal was renamed The Auto. He was made a Freeman of the City of London, and a liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers, on 15 January 1929.[8][note 1]

Family and early life

Stanley Spooner was born at Campbell Lodge, in Rosherville, Northfleet, England, on 20 November 1856.[3][8][1] The birth was registered on 1 January 1857.[2] He was the youngest son of Frederick William Spooner, an accountant, and his wife Sarah Ann (formerly Janes).[2][10][11] Stanley had four sisters, three brothers, and one half-brother. His half-brother was born on 9 September 1837, at 113, Britannia Street, just off City Road in Hoxton, and was given the same name as Stanley's father.[12]

His father was a Freemason (elected as the Worshipful Master of Enoch Lodge (No.11) in 1854.[13] Stanley would also later become a Freemason.[14]Frederick was an auditor and accountant of various different companies. Stanley himself would later become an accountant before he became a stockbroker.[14]

Frederick William Spooner had moved his family to Gravesend by October 1863. Catherine Sarah Spooner, his oldest daughter, was married to Thomas Toller Hurst Daniell.[15] Stanley would later work with Thomas.[16] On 2 and 3 October 1873, Spooner was a Steward at a Bazaar held at the Assembly Rooms in Gravesend. This Bazaar was held on behalf of St. James's Schools. It was opened by Lady Darnley the wife of John Bligh, 6th Earl of Darnley.[17]

He was educated at King's College London, and also in France and Germany.[18]

Career

In 1876 Stanley was a Clerk to an accountant with offices off Cannon Street, London. In 1875 Robert took up the position of accountant of the Co-operative Credit Bank, Queen Victoria Street, London. On 5 February 1876, Stanley was called as a witness at the Mansion House, London in the trial of Richard Banner Oakley, manager of the Co-operative Credit Bank. Richard was accused of obtaining money and securities through false pretenses.[19]

He became a Freemason,and was initiated into the Chiltern Lodge (no. 1470), on 21 December 1880.[14] In the 1881 Census, Stanley was a "Newspaper Advertising Manager."[20] When the Constitutional Club was formed in 1883, he was one of its original members.[21] Stanley was initiated into the Anglo-American Lodge (no. 2191), in 1889..[22] He then applied to be a member of the Stock Exchange, and was posted as a member on 24 March 1890.[23] At first Stanley was a clerk, then a stockbroker and a junior partner of Thomas Toller Hurst Daniell, his brother in-law, from April 1891.[16] On 15 May 1891, it was reported in the London Evening Standard that they were declared defaulters upon the stock exchange. George James, a stockbroker from Southport who Hurst, Daniell, Spooner & Co were acting as agents for ,had absconded and failed to pay losses he made on his account.[24] George James misappropriated £70,000 and was sentenced to five years in prison at Liverpool assizes on 28 July 1891.[25]

The Automotor And Horseless Vehicle Journal

On 15 October 1896, a monthly journal created by Stanley, titled The Automotor And Horseless Vehicle Journal, went on sale.[26] It was published by F.king & Co.Ltd of St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross.[note 2] Spooner had become the Managing Director of this company before August 1897.[28]

The first Sixpenny issue included a portrait and biography of Sir David Salomons, and also information about the 1896 Paris–Marseille–Paris Automobile race.[26][29] Underneath the title of issue number 2, it stated the magazine was "A Record And Review of Applied Automatic Locomotion."[30] Along with the latest racing news, and book reviews, the magazine over the years included technical drawings, diagrams, and reviews of the latest forms of automated transport. It also gave general news about the latest laws concerning automobiles, and the latest news on automobile clubs. The journal had a section titled 'Correspondence,' from the first issue. These were letters from the public, to the editor of the magazine, which Stanley would reply to in print in following issues. When Stanley Spooner started Flight magazine he would also have a 'Correspondence' section from the first issue.

Stanley Spooner was a member of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, from its beginnings.[31][32] He was on that Club's committee from 1900.[33] While on this committee, he became friends with Charles Rolls, and John Moore-Brabazon.[34] The Aero Club of Great Britain was formed in 1901, and Charles Rolls was one of its founders. In its early years, this club was closely allied to The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland. Rolls, and Moore-Brabazon, would go on to become pioneer aviators. Another pioneer aviator who Stanley went on to become friends with was Griffith Brewer, who was originally a Balloonist. On 8 October 1908 Griffith Brewer became the first Englishman to go up in an aeroplane.[35] This occurred when he was a passenger to Wilbur Wright at Camp d'Auvours, 6.8 miles east of Le Mans in France.[36] Griffith became friends of the Wrights, and Spooner was able to keep in contact with them via him.

From around 1900 The Automotor And Horseless Vehicle Journal had a subsection titled Aeronautics.[5] This section published information relating to early accomplishments in aviation.[7] The title of the journal was changed to The Automotor Journal in April 1902.[37] It was sold weekly from 19 April 1902.[38] Along with motor car related information, the journal also carried on detailing the latest accomplishments in aviation, until the introduction of Flight magazine. An issue from 13 September 1903, included information about the Wright brothers experiments.[39] Earlier that same year, the issue of 16 May 1903 included an article about Alberto Santos-Dumont and his Airship Number 9.[40] The 27 October 1906 issue of that section also included an article about his flight at Bagatelle, on 23 October 1906 in the biplane 14-bis.[41] An issue from 18 January 1908 recorded the success of Henri Farman flying a 1-kilometer course in an aeroplane on 13 January 1908 at Issy, France and winning the Deutsch-Archdeacon prize. The issue of 25 April 1908 showed a diagram of official Wright patent drawings of their aeroplane.[42] From November 1908 eight weeks before Flight was published as a separate magazine, pages of The Automotor Journal that covered aeronautics, were bound in Flight covers. This was in order to establish copyright.[43][7]

Flight

On 2 January 1909 the first issue of Flight went on sale.[7][44] It was the official journal of The Aero Club of the United Kingdom. Stanley was on that club's committee in 1909. The magazine recorded information about Aero Clubs throughout the country, ballooning, and model plane aircraft flying competitions, along with other things relating to aviation. On the first issue front cover was John Moore-Brabazon and a photograph of him flying his aeroplane. It recorded his flights at Issy, France, on 3 December 1908. Underneath the main title on the first issue was the sub-heading: "A Second Englishman Flies."[45] The magazine credited Henri Farman as being the first Englishman to fly a heavier-than-air machine.[44] Henri was born in France to English parents; he became a French citizen in 1935.[46]

The first printed letter addressed to the editor of Flight in the Correspondence section of that magazine came from Frederick W. Lanchester. He objected against Stanley giving support in his columns to the word "aerodrome", being used to define "a big open space for flying machines." Stanley respectfully disagreed.[47]

By 1917 the Flight offices had moved from St. Martin's Lane, to 36, Great Queen Street, opposite Freemasons' Hall, London.[45]

During his time as editor, the magazine recorded the aerial accomplishments, among others of Charles Rolls, Louis Bleriot, Roland Garros, and Charles Lindbergh.

He retired as editor of Flight in April 1934, and sold the magazine to Iliffe & Sons.[48] Stanley had already sold his magazine The Auto before this date.[5] On 18 December 1934 at 36, Great Queen Street, an Extraordinary General Meeting was held. At this meeting a special resolution was passed that the publisher F.king & Co.Ltd was to be wound up voluntarily and Spooner was appointed official liquidator for this purpose.[49]

Marriage

Spooner married Bessey Maddox on 12 September 1907 at the Register Office, St. George Hanover Square, London. Bessey was a widow, and a daughter of John Craggs, a deceased leather merchant. [note 3].[53] Bessey died in 1926, and was buried at Brookwood Cemetery on 16 September 1926. Stanley was later buried in the same plot.[54]

Death

Stanley Spooner died of Thrombosis at University College Hospital , London, on 3 April 1940. He was buried on 6 April 1940 at Brookwood Cemetery.[5][55] Probate was granted on 10 June 1940, with the value of his effects coming to £116,064, 6 shillings and 9 pence.[4] Among bequests in Stanley's Will was one of £5,000 to the Royal Aeronautical Society. This was to set up an aeronautical research scholarship in his name.[56]

References
  1. "Births." The Era, Sunday 30 November 1856, p.16. The British Newspaper Archive: Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 23 May 2019.(Subscription required.)
  2. "Stanley Spooner, Aylesford, Kent, England, 1857 Reg Qtr 1, Volume 2A, Page 271, Line number 33: England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch, General Register Office, Southport, England.
  3. "Stanley Spooner. Birth Date: 20 Nov 1856. Christening Date: 25 July 1865, St Ethelburga Bishops Gate, London, England." England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, database, FamilySearch. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 394, 832,394, 833. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  4. "Stanley Spooner." From England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995, Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England © Crown copyright. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Retrieved 27 Feb 2020.(Subscription required.)
  5. "Grace's Guide To British Industrial History: Biographies: Stanley Spooner: 1940 Obituary." Taken from "Passing Of A Pioneer," Flight,11 April 1940, p.333. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. "Dominic Winter Auctioneers: Motoring Literature and Automobilia, 11 May 2017: Lot 324. Description: The Automotor Journal". Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  7. "About Ourselves."Flight, January 3, 1930, No.1097. (Vol.XXII. No.1.) p.10. Accessed via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  8. "Ancestry.com. London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930 [database on-line. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.London Metropolitan Archive; Reference Number: COL/CHD/FR/02/2758." Retrieved 20 July 2018.(Subscription required.)
  9. "Motor Pioneers. Made Freemen of the City of London." The Yorkshire Post, Wednesday 16 January 1929, p.12. The British Newspaper Archive; Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited - Proudly presented by Findmypast in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 19 September 2021.(Subscription required.)
  10. "Deaths". The Times, Saturday 6 April 1940, p.1. Accessed via Gale Primary Sources: The Times Digital Archive. Retrieved 27 May 2022. (Subscription required.)
  11. Name: Spooner, Stanley. Mother's Maiden Surname: Janes. GRO Reference: 1857 M Quarter in North Aylesford Volume 02A Page 271. Accessed via GRO Online Indexes, General Register Office Online. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  12. "Frederick William Spooner, Shoreditch, London, England, 1837 Reg Qtr 4, Volume 2, Page 244, Line number 35: England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch, General Register Office, Southport, England.
  13. "The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1855-01-01, Page 30." Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  14. "England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 for Stanley Spooner." Chiltern Lodge. No.1470, Folio 173. 21 Dec 1880. Ancestry.com, image p.179: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2020.(Subscription required.)
  15. "Daniell, Thomas Toller Hurst." Foster, Joseph (1885). Men-At-The-Bar: A Biographical Hand-List Of The Members Of The Various Inns Of Court, Including Her Majesty's Judges, etc. London and Aylesbury: Hazell, Watson and Viney Limited. p.114. Accessed via Google Books. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  16. "Money Market And City News." Morning Post, Saturday 4 April 1891, p.6. The British Newspaper Archive: Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 23 July 2018.(Subscription required.)
  17. "The Fancy Bazaar." Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 27 September 1873, p.4. The British Newspaper Archive: Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited - Findmypast in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 17 September 2021.(Subscription required.)
  18. "Grace's Guide To British Industrial History: Biographies: Stanley Spooner: 1903 Bio Note". Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  19. "The Co-Operative Credit Bank, The Charges Against Richard Banner Oakley." The Standard, Monday 7 February 1876, p.2. The British Newspaper Archive: Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 23 May 2019.(Subscription required.)
  20. "Stanley Spooner in 1881 England Census." Class: RG11; Piece: 333; Folio: 29; Page: 17; GSU roll: 1341072. From 1881 England Census, via Ancestry.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.(Subscription required.)
  21. "Grace's Guide To British Industrial History:1933 Who's Who in British Aviation: Name S" Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  22. "The Freemason: 1889-06-01, Page 7." Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry. Retrieved 2 Aug 2018.
  23. "London, England, Stock Exchange Membership Applications, 1802-1924" Ancestry.com. London, England, Stock Exchange Membership Applications, 1802-1924 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original Data: Stock Exchange records held by the London Metropolitan Archives, London, England. Retrieved 1 August 2018.(Subscription required.)
  24. "Money Market News." London Evening Standard, Friday 15 May 1891, p.6. The British Newspaper Archive; Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 23 July 2018.(Subscription required.)
  25. "A Stockbroker Sentenced To Penal Fortitude." Western Morning News, Wednesday 29 July 1891, p.6. The British Newspaper Archive: Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited in partnership with the British Library. Retrieved 23 July 2018.(Subscription required.)
  26. "Men And Matters."Globe, Friday 16 October 1896, p.7. The British Newspaper Archive. Retrieved 23 July 2018.(Subscription required.)
  27. "The Automotor Journal. Front Cover." January 3, 1903, No.104. (Vol. VIII. No.1.) p.1. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  28. "Alleged False Pretences. An Advertisement Agent Charged." The South London Press, Saturday 28 August 1897, p.6. The British Newspaper Archive. Retrieved 10 August 2020.(Subscription required.)
  29. "page 4". Lincolnshire Chronicle. 20 October 1896. Retrieved 23 July 2018 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  30. Automotor And Horseless Vehicle Journal, Vol1.No.2, November 17 1896. The Automotor Journal 1896 - September 1898, p.37, image p.44. Accessed via Archive.org The Crittenden Automotive Library. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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  33. "Election Of The New Club Committee. Manifesto of the "Reform" Committee". The Automotor Journal. Vol. IX, no. 165. 5 March 1904. p. 276. Retrieved 23 July 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  34. "Royal Aeronautical Society And Flight. Complimentary Dinner To Mr Stanley Spooner". Flight. Vol. XXII, no. 1098. 10 January 1930. p. 99. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  35. "Grace's Guide To British Industrial History: Biographies: Griffith Brewer." Retrieved 8 June 2021.
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  38. "Automotor Journal: 1902 (Part 2) Automotor Issues." Via Grace's Guide To British Industrial History. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  39. "Royal Aeronautical Society And Flight. Complimentary Dinner To Mr Stanley Spooner." Flight, January 10, 1930, No.1098. (Vol.XXII. No.2.) p. 100.
  40. "Aerial Progress." The Automotor Journal, 16 May 1903, No.123. (Vol.VIII. No.20.) pp.503-504. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  41. "Grace's Guide To British Industrial History: Santos Dumont's Flight Record." Automotor Journal, 27 October 1906. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  42. "Back To The Beginning: The First Power Driven Machine." Flight, October 28, 1948, No.2079. Vol.LIV. p.506.
  43. "Now We Are Fifty." Flight, 2 January 1959, p. 13.
  44. Flight, January 3, 1930, No.1097. (Vol.XXII. No.1.) p.11. Accessed via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  45. "110 years of Flight, Flight International refresh – and our first decade." Max Kingsley-Jones, Flight International, 22 February 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020. (Subscription required.)
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  48. "The Future of Flight. It's New Ownership." Flight, April 12, 1934, No.1320. (Vol.XXVI. No.15). p.1. Accessed via Internet Archive. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  49. "F. King & Co. Limited." The London Gazette, 21 December 1934, Issue 34116, p.8320. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
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  53. "Stanley Spooner - Bessey Craggs Maddox: 1907, quarter 3, vol. 1A, p. 1225, St. George Hanover Square, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England." Via England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005 database, FamilySearch. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  54. "England, Surrey Parish Registers, 1536-1992." database, FamilySearch 21 December 2017, Bessey Spooner, 16 Sep 1926; Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey. London Metropolitan Archives, England; FHL microfilm 1,751,648. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  55. "England, Surrey Parish Registers, 1536-1992." database, FamilySearch, 21 Dec 2017,Stanley Spooner, 6 Apr 1940; Brookwood Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey. London Metropolitan Archives, England; FHL microfilm 1,751,649.Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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Notes
  1. Frederick Handley Page, Hugo Thomas Masaac Buist, editor of The Autocar. And Frederic Stanley Bennett, then the Manager of the Nash Motor Company, and Vice-President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, were also made Freemen of the city and liverymen of this company on the same day.[9]
  2. The offices had moved to 44, St. Martin's Lane before 1903.[27]
  3. This address had been the premises of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland (of which Stanley was a member) from May 1902.[50][51] From March 1907, this club was called the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland.[52]
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