Blue Plaque: John Jaffray

Sir John Jaffray was a prominent Scottish journalist and newspaper proprietor who played a pivotal role in the development of the press in Birmingham. 

A media pioneer
Born in Stirling, Scotland, on 11th October 1818, John Jaffray embarked on a career in journalism.  He moved to Birmingham in 1844 to take up a post with the Birmingham Journal. His talent and dedication quickly led him to become a partner in the newspaper with John Frederick Feeney in 1852. Together, they made a significant impact on Birmingham’s media landscape.

In 1857, Jaffray and Feeney founded the Birmingham Daily Post (now the Birmingham Post), which became a leading regional newspaper. Jaffray served as its editor and senior partner. In 1870, he further expanded his influence in the local press by founding the Birmingham Mail with John Feeney’s son, John Feeney.

Beyond the newsroom: a civic champion
Beyond his newspaper enterprises, John Jaffray was a highly respected and influential public figure in Birmingham. He was actively involved in a wide range of civic, literary, educational, and charitable initiatives. Notably, he was president of the Birmingham General Hospital and demonstrating his philanthropic spirit, he personally funded the construction of the Jaffray Hospital in Erdington, which opened in 1885 and served as a convalescent and geriatric unit for the General Hospital for many years.  Sir John Jaffray died on 4th January 1901.