Peris Mencheta: the activ correspondent of the Third Carlist War

Abstract

The great pioneer of reporterism in Spain, and developer of an informative new style, without literature and personal opinion, is a forgotten figure of the nineteenth century journalism. Francisco Peris Mencheta won fame during the coverage of Third Carlist War, from May 8th 1875 to March 19th 1876. He wrote more than 150 letters, published in Las Provincias of Valencia and La Correspondencia de España. Mencheta followed the liberal army, but also informed from the Carlist camp. As a main source, direct observation, completed with offi cial and non-official sources. His letters reproduce the military movements and its effect on the people, but also refer horror and solidarity. Today, these letters represent a picture of Spain in XIX.