Walter 's trust in Barnes was soon demonstrated when in 1815 Walter empowered him revise the controversial leading articles written by the intemperate John Stoddart , then the editor of the paper . Upon Stoddart 's dismissal at the end of 1816 Barnes was named as his successor as editor , assuming a position which he held until his death . As editor , Barnes came to enjoy a greater degree of control over the paper than his predecessors , and received a share of ownership in the paper . He used it to reshape the paper , analysing events rather than merely summarising them , and making the leading article a central component of the paper . With the Peterloo Massacre in August 1819 he inaugurated a policy of support for the Whig opposition in Parliament that contrasted with his predecessor 's staunchly pro-Tory stance . He became a close friend of Henry Brougham , who was an important source of information for Barnes 's leading articles
Peterloo Massacre
Peterloo Massacre
Thomas Barnes (journalist)