Back John Peter Zenger Afrikaans جون پيتير زينجير ARZ John Peter Zenger German John Peter Zenger Esperanto John Peter Zenger Spanish John Peter Zenger French ג'ון פיטר זנגר HE John Peter Zenger ID ジョン・ピーター・ゼンガー Japanese 존 피터 젱어 Korean
John Peter Zenger | |
|---|---|
 Andrew Hamilton defending John Peter Zenger in court, 1734–1735 | |
| Born | October 26, 1697 |
| Died | July 28, 1746 (aged 48) |
| Citizenship | British |
| Occupation | Newspaper writer |
| Years active | 1720–1746 |
| Known for | Zenger trial |
| Notable work | The New York Weekly Journal |
John Peter Zenger (October 26, 1697 – July 28, 1746) was a German printer and journalist in New York City. Zenger printed The New York Weekly Journal.[1] He was accused of libel in 1734 by William Cosby, the royal governor of New York, but the jury acquitted Zenger, who became a symbol for freedom of the press.[2]
In 1733, Zenger began printing The New York Weekly Journal, which voiced opinions critical of the colonial governor, William Cosby.[3] On November 17, 1734, on Cosby's orders, the sheriff arrested Zenger. After a grand jury refused to indict him, the Attorney General Richard Bradley charged him with libel in August 1735.[4] Zenger's lawyers, Andrew Hamilton and William Smith, Sr., successfully argued that truth is a defense against charges of libel.[5]
- ^ "7c. The Trial of John Peter Zenger". US History. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ Olsen, 2000, pp. 223–245
- ^ "Peter Zenger and Freedom of the Press". Early America. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "Zenger Trial". History Empire. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ Horton, Scott (28 February 2011). "The Obstinate Dr. Heicklen". Harper's Magazine.