The Journalist

After the publication of Robert Browning in May, 1903, Chesterton began, in the words of the anonymous reviewer of Vanity Fair, “a new phase of his career as a writer”; he now belonged, the reviewer pronounced, “to the men of letters as apart from the journalists”. But Chesterton always remained a journalist at heart. As his brother Cecil wrote later, “The growth of Mr. Chesterton’s public reputation has made comparatively little difference to his mode of life. Of course his fame has carried him into new circles, and made him acquainted with men of what may roughly be called the governing class, with bishops and cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and men eminent in letters and art. But …. The atmosphere really native to him is still the atmosphere of Fleet Street. And he is never more at his ease, never more amusing, never more wholly himself, than when he is talking to his old brothers of the craft.” At the end of a lecture in America, an admirer asked him, astonished by his vast knowledge, how he came to know so much. “Madam”, he replied, “I know nothing. I am a journalist”.

"The Return of the Angels"
The Daily News, March 14, 1903

"The Nightmare"
The Daily News, Oct. 16, 1909

"Concerning a Strange City"
The New Witness, 25 November 1921

"Women in the Workplace - and at Home"
The Illustrated London News, 18th December, 1926

"The Equality of Sexlessness"
GK's Weekly, July 26, 1930