The first known public advice column was called “Asking for a Friend.” It was founded by John Dunton in London in 1691. Jon Dunton was the editor of the advice column, along with a group of his friends who all consisted of writers and editors of the Athenian Mercury. They published their column together every two weeks. They would pick and choose from all of the letters they received at Smith’s Coffee House, then write responses to a handful of letters. They received a quick response from the community around them; everyone loved the idea and couldn’t wait for their question to appear in the next issue.
They quickly ran into a problem: They only had men giving advice! So in 1693 they published the first column written by women for women. It only lasted few issues. Although the Ladies Mercury lasted a rather short time, it opened up many new gates and opportunities, considering it was one of the first publications that was directed toward females. The entire paper, the Athenian Mercury, only lasted from 1691 to 1697, but these six years changed history forever.
Advice columns became popular not very quickly, but the concept definitely did spread. In many newspapers and magazines over the next century, you would see advice columns popping up all over England and then throughout the world. The advice columns started off with general topics; now there are many variations and types for each person who might have a question about a specific topic.
Advice columns became popular not very quickly, but the concept definitely did spread. In many newspapers and magazines over the next century, you would see advice columns popping up all over England and then throughout the world. The advice columns started off with general topics; now there are many variations and types for each person who might have a question about a specific topic.
One example of a popular advice column is “Dear Abby.” This advice column was founded in 1956. It was originally written by Pauline Phillips under the pen name of Abigail Van Buren. It is now run by Phillips's daughter, Jeanne Phillips. The advice column is written in a format different from most advice columns: Each letter has three different perspectives on the situation, most likely from three different writers, and then the individual who submitted the question can look at all of the responses.
Today there are many advice columns all over the world. You can find some written by students like us, and you can find some written by some of the most popular newspapers in the world, like the New York Times or the New Yorker. They all have different topics and goals. At the end of the day, they all have one main goal: to help people.
Today there are many advice columns all over the world. You can find some written by students like us, and you can find some written by some of the most popular newspapers in the world, like the New York Times or the New Yorker. They all have different topics and goals. At the end of the day, they all have one main goal: to help people.
