The Illustrated London News, funded by Herbert Ingram, began weekly publication in 1842 as a primarily conservative leaning paper and was the world’s first illustrated newspaper. Its extensive coverage of the royal family’s tours, lives, and deaths earned the paper popularity.

Despite its name, The Illustrated London News contained an eclectic and rich collection of world news with features on science and discoveries (from natural science to technological advancements), art and culture, political events, and a special focus on the royal family. Alongside almost every article were accompanying illustrations and later, photographs. Contributors included Robert Louis Stevenson with his story 'Uma; or The Beach of Falesá', a story which ran over several weeks through July and August of 1892, and Patrick Moore, who had a regular feature 'The Sky at Night' during the 1970s and 1980s.

The Illustrated London News often ran deep and detailed special features such as the life of Winston Churchill, who had almost two full issues dedicated to him after his death in 1965. It also covered more whimsical and off-beat news through its running features of 'From the World’s Scrapbook' which covered everyday stories through photography and 'Unusual Photographs' which was a full page photo feature which ran for over 200 weeks.

In 1971, the newspaper was reduced to monthly publication. In 1989 publication was reduced again to four regular issues and two special issues per year. Finally, in 1994, it was reduced to two issues a year until it ceased publication in 2003. The Illustrated London News became a full colour magazine towards the end of its publication run.