Career
He established the Western Morning News at Plymouth in 1860 with Edward Spender. The Eastern Morning News was established at Hull and the first number appeared in January 1864. Saunders also established the Central News Agency, and was vice-president of the temperance society United Kingdom Alliance.
In January 1889 he was elected to the newly created London County Council as a councillor representing the Walworth division of Newington.
He was re-elected in 1892, holding his seat until 1895. He died in office in May 1895, triggering a by-election on 14 May in which the seat was regained by the Conservatives.
Saunders married Caroline Spender and was great uncle of Stephen Spender.