Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Latey, John
LATEY, JOHN (1842–1902), journalist, born in Wenlock Road, City Road, London, on 30 Oct. 1842, was only son of John Lash Latey (1808-1891) of Tiverton, Devonshire, contributor from 1842 and editor from 1868 to 1800 of the 'Illustrated London News' by his wife Eliza Bentley, of South Molton, Devonshire, daughter of a coal merchant. John Lash Latey was a trenchant advocate of liberal principles from the time of the Reform Bill of 1832, and an early contributor under the pseudonym of 'Lash' to 'Lloyd's News' (cf. T. Catling's My Life's Pilgrimage, 1911).
Educated at Barnstaple and at the Working Men's College, London, from 1860 to 1864, Latey joined in 1861 the staff of the 'Penny Illustrated Paper,' then newly founded by (Sir) William Ingram of the 'Illustrated London News,' and from that year till 1901 was both art and literary editor. Under his guidance the paper, which was staunchly liberal, filled an important place in popular journalism. Mr. Harry Furniss and Phil May [q. v. Suppl. II] were among his artists. With the latter he contributed in 1878 a series of 'Bird's-eye Views,' and from 1878 to 1889 he wrote a weekly article by 'The Showman,' genially criticising society and affairs.
Under the pseudonym of 'The Silent Member,' Latey was for fifteen years parliamentary reporter to the 'Illustrated London News,' of which he was also for a time dramatic critic, as well as literary editor and editor of the Christmas annual in 1899. With Mayne Reid [q. v.] he was co-editor (1881-2) of 'The Boys' Illustrated News,' the first illustrated newspaper for the young, and from June 1899 to 1902 he was editor of the 'Sketch.' Latey was a founder of the London Press Club and a fellow of the Journalists' Institute. He was a fine chess player, excelled in his youth in running and swimming, and was one of the earliest volunteers as a private in the Working Men's College company of the 19th Middlesex regiment. He died at 11 North Villas, Camden Square, on 26 Sept. 1902 after a long illness, and was buried at Highgate cemetery. He married in August 1872 Constance, daughter of Louis Lachenal, who improved the English concertina; she survived him with three sons and a daughter, who became wife of Mr. W. Heath Robinson, black and white artist. A portrait painted by John Edgar Williams in 1873 is in the widow's possession.
Latey's separately published works included: 1. 'The Showman's Panorama,' by Codlin (i.e. J. Latey) and illustrated by Short (i.e. Wallis Mackay), 1880. 2. 'The River of Life: A London Story,' 1886; new edit. 1894. 3. 'Love Clouds: a Story of Love and Revenge,' 1887; new edit. 1894. He also wrote a short history of the Franco-German War (1872) and a 'Life of General Gordon' (1885).
[The Tunes, 27 Sept. 1902; Sketch, Oct. 1902 (with portrait); Penny Illustr. Paper and Illustr. London News, 4 Oct. 1902 (with portraits); Who's Who, 1902; Men and Women of the Time, 1899; information from son, Mr. William Latey.]