David Duncan

(1823-1888)

Proprietor of the "Cardiff Times"

	Courtesy : Glamorgan Archives

"David Duncan was born at Perth on the 17th May, 1823. He was the oldest son of John Duncan. It was at Perth in his early youth that he first became connected with the press, at the same time learning the printing business; but on reaching man's estate, he sought a wider sphere of labour in Edinburgh, where, at the age of 21, he married a daughter of Mr. Alexander Ross, a contractor, of Perth. Like many of his countrymen who have won for themselves a conspicuous position in life, Mr Duncan decided to come South, and, leaving the Scotch capital shortly after his marriage, became one of the managers of a large printing and publishing establishment in London. Here he entered upon an interesting period of his life, and one filled with incidents the recollection of which he dwelt upon with pleasure in after life. Charles Dickens was about this time throwing the reading public into alternate fits of merriment and sadness by his marvellous tales of humour and of pathos; and as the conductor of the publishing establishment at which many of the celebrated novelist's works were produced, Mr Duncan was brought into frequent contact with him. Contemporary with Dickens was that other great master of fiction, Bulwer Lytton, and the renowned essayist, Leigh Hunt, with all of whom Mr Duncan had business relations in connection with the production of works which are still the delight of the intellectual world. He retained several letters and other epistolary documents received from these celebrated authors."

Source : his obituary in the Cardiff Times