Public Ledger

American newspaper

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July 13, 2026

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The Public Ledger was a daily newspaper founded in Philadelphia in 1836 by A.S. Abell, William M. Swain, and Azariah H. Simmons. Abell, a printer by trade, believed Philadelphia was a promising market for a new penny paper. The Public Ledger was known for its sensational and scandalous content, distinguishing it from Abell's other venture, the Baltimore Sun.1

The Public Ledger was an innovator in news dissemination, with Abell establishing a "pony express" system of relay riders between Baltimore and New Orleans to speed up news transmission. This system famously beat the U.S. government in delivering news of a military victory. Abell was also an early adopter of the telegraph for news, encouraging Samuel F.B. Morse in its development. The Philadelphia Inquirer, founded in 1847, also became an influential daily in Philadelphia, known for its broad news coverage and adoption of new printing technologies like the rotary press.12

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A.S. Abell
Simmons, founded the Public Ledger in 1836. Within two years the paper had absorbed the rival Philadelphia Transcript. Meanwhile, in 1837, Abell founded the Baltimore Sun, which had 12,000 subscribers after a year. Both the Public Ledger and the Sun were oriented to the workingman, but, whereas the…
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Simmons, founded the Public Ledger in 1836. Within two years the paper had absorbed the rival Philadelphia Transcript. Meanwhile, in 1837, Abell founded the Baltimore Sun, which had 12,000 subscribers after a year. Both the Public Ledger and the Sun were oriented to the workingman, but, whereas the…
Read More