He was the illegitimate offspring of Thomas Milner Gibson and a servant girl named Susannah Bowles. He attended school in France and then studied for a year at King"s College London. His father gave him a yearly stipend of £90 and helped him find a job at Somerset House.
He attended school in France and then studied for a year at King"s College London.
He began his journalism and publishing career by writing a column for the Morning Post in 1866. His coverage of the Siege of Paris sent by balloon and pigeon post ensured his fame. He borrowed £200 to found Vanity Fair in 1868.
He founded The Lady magazine in 1885, supposedly spurred by advice Jessica had once given to him.
He became a competent sailor and wrote for decades in support of the Royal Navy. Bowles (nicknamed Jehu Junior after a biblical prophet who effected the downfall of his enemies) compiled the biographical notes that went with the caricatures.
He was editor for twenty years and shaped magazine policy so that no-one was exempt from his enquiring eye. This approach made for an entertaining and popular magazine.
The targets of Jehu Junior"s satire usually considered themselves honored to have been chosen, and although the scrutiny was acute, it was humorous rather than malicious.
At the 1892 general election, he was elected as Conservative Party Member of Parliament for King"s Lynn and served in the House of Commons until losing his seat at the 1906 election. He was re-elected at the January 1910 as a Liberal, but lost his seat again at the December 1910 election. He died while on a holiday at Algeciras, Spain, and is buried in Gibraltar.
Their children were: George (1877–1955) Registered Nurse, Member of Parliament & barrister who married Madeline Tobin Geoffrey (1879–1968) Royal Navy Commander.
Sydney (1880–1963) married the then Honorary David Mitford in 1902, and was the mother of the Mitford sisters.
Dorothy (1885–1971) who married Colonel Percy Bailey. She later became editor of The Lady.
They were Humphrey (b 1891), Oliver (b 1895) and Peter (b 1900).
(See "Never Forget" pp 616–618"). Peter Stewart later assisted at Marlborough House when it was used by Queen Mary.
25th United Kingdom Parliament. 26th United Kingdom Parliament. 27th United Kingdom Parliament.
29th United Kingdom Parliament.
