James Rivington, a royalist printer of New York during the revolution, born in London about 1724, died in New York in July, 1802. Early in life he was a bookseller in London, and acquired a fortune, which he lost at Newmarket. In 1760 he settled in Philadelphia, and in 1761 opened a book store in New York. On April 22, 1773, he established the "New York Gazetteer, or the Connecticut, New Jersey, Hudson's River, and Quebec Weekly Advertiser," in which he advocated the cause of the English government with great zeal. In November, 1775, in consequence of his constant assaults upon Capt. Isaac Sears and other republicans, that officer came from Connecticut with 75 horsemen to New York, destroyed Rivington's press, and converted the types into bullets. In October, 1777, the city being occupied by the British, he resumed the publication of his paper under the old title, which was not long after changed to "Rivington's New York Royal Gazette," and on Dec. 13 to the "Royal Gazette." About 1781, when the success of the British was becoming very doubtful, he played the part of a spy, furnishing Washington with important information. His communications were written on very thin paper, and conveyed to the American camp in the covers of books.

After the evacuation of New York Rivington was allowed to remain, much to the general surprise. He took down the royal arms from his paper and changed the title to "Rivington's New York Gazette and Universal Advertiser." His business however having rapidly declined, his paper was soon stopped (1783), and he passed the remainder of his life in poverty.