Historical story

Who was John Peter Zanger?

John Peter Zenger (c. 1688–1746) was a German-American printer, publisher, and journalist. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of freedom of the press in the United States.

Zenger was born in Germany and immigrated to America in 1710. He settled in New York City, where he worked as a printer for several years. In 1733, he founded his own newspaper, the New-York Weekly Journal.

The Journal was critical of the British colonial governor of New York, William Cosby. Cosby had Zenger arrested and charged with seditious libel. Zenger's trial was a landmark case in the history of freedom of the press. His lawyers, Andrew Hamilton and James Alexander, argued that Zenger had the right to publish the truth, even if it was critical of the government.

Zenger was acquitted in 1735. His trial helped to establish the principle of freedom of the press in the United States.

After his acquittal, Zenger continued to publish the New-York Weekly Journal. He died in New York City in 1746.