The Times Logo PNG
The Times’ classic logo emphasizes the newspaper’s long, storied history. It combines symbols of strength, authority, prestige, and tradition. At the same time, the emblem reflects the publication’s commitment to quality journalism and providing accurate information.
The Times began on January 1, 1785, when businessman John Walter launched The Daily Universal Register to demonstrate logographic printing. After limited public interest, it was renamed The Times on January 1, 1788. Coverage expanded into commerce, society, and celebrity scandals, and a report about the Prince of Wales led to Walter’s imprisonment in Newgate.
John Walter Jr. took control in 1803, increased the paper from four to twelve pages, and defended editorial independence despite pressure from William Pitt the Younger’s government. Under Thomas Barnes, editor from 1817 to 1841, political analysis and leading articles became core features. John Thadeus Delane later sent William Howard Russell to report from the Crimean War.
The Walter family retained ownership until 1908, when financial problems forced them to sell to Alfred Harmsworth, founder of the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror. John Jacob Astor bought the title in 1922. On October 3, 1932, Times New Roman appeared for the first time, developed by Stanley Morison with letters drawn by Victor Lardent.
Roy Thomson acquired the newspaper in 1966 and merged it with The Sunday Times. A union conflict stopped publication from December 1, 1978, until November 12, 1979. Rupert Murdoch’s News International bought both papers in 1981 for £12 million and replaced hot-metal printing with computer production. In 2004, The Times adopted a compact format while competing with The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.
Meaning and History
The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom has remained a constant in The Times’ logo. The newspaper first used this heraldic emblem in 1785, when almost all London publications considered it their duty to include the British monarch’s official coat of arms in their brand identity. In The Times’ case, the coat of arms’ shape has changed periodically. Nevertheless, most versions have common components.
- “Dieu et mon droit,” the British monarchy’s motto, asserts the king’s divine right to power. The phrase is in French, as the English elite once spoke only French.
- A Celtic harp with a triangular frame, the heraldic symbol of Ireland, appears on the country’s coat of arms, reflecting the importance of art in its history.
- Three fleur-de-lis, referencing the Scottish royal coat of arms. In addition, the heraldic lilies are found in the jewelry of the Imperial State Crown.
- The seal depicts three lion guards, symbols from the Great Seal of England. Depicted with a raised paw and a turned head, the animals are leopards. But these are not ordinary spotted leopards; they are hybrids of lions and mythical creatures called pard.
- The lion rampant is the central element of Scotland’s royal coat of arms. It’s a lion standing on its hind legs and looking straight ahead. Traditionally, it embodies power and strength.
- A belt ring with the inscription “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE,” is the emblem of a chivalric order called the Most Noble Order of the Garter. The phrase translates from the Anglo-Norman language: “Let him be shamed who thinks ill of it.”
- St Edward’s Crown is an adornment used in the coronation of British monarchs. At its top is the Cross of St. George, one of England’s heraldic symbols.
- The crowned lion is an animal associated with England. It symbolizes valor, grandeur, nobility, and courage.
- The unicorn is Scotland’s national symbol. It is chained because it is very hard to catch: only a pure-minded, innocent person can do so.
- Plants interpret the grassy mound from the United Kingdom’s coat of arms. Shamrocks, Tudor roses, and thistles represent Ireland, England, and Scotland, respectively.
These elements, in different combinations, appear on The Times newspaper’s emblems, which in turn seek to show its national affiliation.
What is The Times?
The Times is a world-renowned United Kingdom newspaper. It was founded in 1785 as The Daily Universal Register and received its current name three years later. It later launched international versions, including The New York Times and The Times of India. It is a respected, independent publication with a right-centrist political stance. Its owner is News Corp UK & Ireland Limited.
1785 – 1789
During its early years, the newspaper was called The Daily Universal Register. This phrase was split into two lines and placed at the edges of the logo: on the left were “The” and “Universal,” and on the right were “Daily” and “Register.” The upper words were set in a straight font with regular serifs, while the bottom ones were in cursive with flourishes. The center was occupied by a black-and-white version of the United Kingdom’s royal coat of arms. The lion and the unicorn holding the shield were depicted full-length and stood on an unfurled scroll with the inscription “DIEU ET MON DROIT.” A knight’s helmet with lush feathers topped the shield, crowned with St Edward’s Crown.
1789 – 1797
In 1789, the newspaper was renamed The Times and got a new logo, in which these two words were set in capital letters with serifs and were positioned at the top in different corners. The stylized coat of arms of the United Kingdom was enlarged and altered: the knight’s helmet disappeared, and a miniature lion, standing on all fours, appeared at the top of the crown. The second lion and the unicorn holding the shield were half-hidden behind a wide ribbon with the inscription “OR DAILY UNIVERSAL REGISTER.” The ribbon edges were curled into spirals and decorated. Below were flowers, leaves, and the phrase “PRINTED LOGOGRAPHICALLY.” The latter referred to a patented text-setting system created by John Walter.
1797 – 1959
The coat of arms was reduced and stretched horizontally. Thanks to lush plants on the sides, the additional volume appeared. The small lion standing on top disappeared, and the phrase “DIEU ET MON DROIT” reappeared on the lower ribbon. In this version, the newspaper’s name was set in an elegant Old English font.
1959 – today
Designers have refined the coat of arms’ form and structure, which symbolizes the newspaper’s national affiliation. But for over 200 years, the logo’s artistic style has hardly changed: a black-and-white, highly detailed image divides the laconic inscription into two parts. The phrase “THE TIMES” is set in strict, straight serif letters.
Font and Colors
The wordmark uses the Times Modern family, developed by Luke Prowse and Research Studio. The narrow serif characters have been adapted specifically for the publication. The colors were also chosen deliberately: the newspaper took a long time to transition to color printing, so a black-and-white logo was more practical.