Daily newspaper published in London, one of Britain's oldest and most influential, and one of the world's greatest newspapers.
Founded by John I. Walter in 1785 as The Daily Universal Register , it became The Times in 1788, publishing commercial news and notices along with some scandal. By the mid-1800s it had developed into a widely respected national journal and daily historical record. Late in the 19th century its reputation and circulation declined, but it returned to financial security after being bought by Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (1908), and its preeminence in editorial matters and news coverage was reestablished under the editorship of William Haley (195267). In 1981 it was bought by Rupert Murdoch 's News Corporation.