The trial of John Peter Zenger in 1735 established a critical precedent for the role of truth in legal challenges against government authorities. By securing an acquittal against charges of libel brought by the royal governor of New York, William Cosby, Zenger became an enduring reference point in the development of press freedom within the American colonies.
Early Life and Apprenticeship
Born in 1697 in the German Palatinate, Zenger immigrated to New York in 1710. His father, Nicolaus Eberhard Zenger, died shortly after arrival. The colonial government placed the young immigrant as an apprentice to William Bradford, the city's inaugural printer, for an eight-year term. Zenger gained early professional experience in Maryland by 1720 before returning to New York permanently in 1722, where he eventually partnered with his former employer.
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In 1733, Zenger shifted his focus to independent commercial publishing on Smith Street. That year, he began printing The New York Weekly Journal at the behest of political figures Rip Van Dam and Lewis Morris. The publication functioned as an outlet for opposition against Governor William Cosby, specifically challenging the governor's attempts to manipulate the colony's judicial system and salary disputes. The paper famously featured content echoing the libertarian perspectives found in Cato’s Letters.
Libel Prosecution and Acquittal
Governor Cosby viewed the newspaper's criticisms as seditious and successfully ordered Zenger's arrest in November 1734. Following a failure to secure a grand jury indictment, the Attorney General charged Zenger with libel in 1735. After James Alexander was disbarred for contempt, defense attorneys Andrew Hamilton and William Smith, Sr. took the case. They argued that publishing truthful reports could not constitute libel. On August 5, 1735, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, serving as an early example of jury nullification.
Final Years and Legacy
Following the trial, Zenger continued his work as a printer until his death on July 28, 1746, in New York City. His widow assumed control of the printing business. His historical significance was later recognized through various public commemorations, including the naming of a Liberty ship during World War II and the installation of a limestone statue by Joseph Kiselewski at P.S. 18 in the Bronx.
Fast facts
- Born: 1697, Impflingen
- Died: 28 July 1746, New York City
- Occupation: Journalist, publisher, and book printer
- Spouse: Anna Catharina Maul (married 1722)
- Primary Prosecution: William Cosby
- Defense Counsel: Andrew Hamilton and William Smith, Sr.
- Burial Site: Trinity Churchyard
Questions readers ask
Did the Zenger trial immediately legalize freedom of the press?
No. While the verdict served as a symbolic landmark, truth was not formally established as a legal defense against libel in New York until the following century.
What was the result of the 1735 libel trial?
The jury acquitted Zenger after ten minutes of deliberation, rejecting the charge of libel despite the royal governor's pressure.
