Newsletters have a surprisingly long history, dating back over two millennia in various forms.

The earliest precursor often cited is the Acta Diurna (“Daily Acts” or “Daily Events”) from ancient Rome, which began appearing as early as 131 BC (some sources point to origins around 59 BC under Julius Caesar). These were handwritten or inscribed government gazettes displayed publicly on boards or stone, containing official announcements, court news, military updates, gladiatorial results, and other matters of public interest. Many historians consider this the world’s first form of regularly distributed “news bulletin” — essentially a proto-newsletter.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, more recognizable newsletters emerged among merchants and elites:

• Handwritten commercial newsletters circulated between trading families (e.g., the famous Fugger family in Germany), sharing business intelligence, prices, exchange rates, and political events that could affect trade.
• By the mid-15th century (around the 1450s–1550s), organized handwritten newsletters became common in places like Venice, where subscribers received regular (often twice-weekly) summaries of events, politics, and gossip via couriers.

The term “newsletter” itself first appeared in English in the 1670s, originally meaning a written report of news intended for circulation.

If we’re talking about the modern sense of a printed, periodical newsletter (what evolved into newspapers), the key milestone came in 1605, when German publisher Johann Carolus in Strasbourg began printing the Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien (“Account of All Distinguished and Memorable Histories”). This is widely recognized as the world’s first printed newspaper — but it started as an evolution of his earlier handwritten news services for paying subscribers.

In short:

• 131 BC → Acta Diurna (earliest known regular public news bulletin)
• 15th–16th centuries → Handwritten commercial & personal newsletters in Europe
• 1605 → First printed periodical newsletter/newspaper

The concept of regularly sending curated “news” to a specific group of people is ancient — it’s just the technology and scale that have changed dramatically over time! Today’s email and Substack newsletters are really the latest chapter in a very long story.

Here are some of the most famous and influential newsletters (both historical and modern, as of early 2026), grouped by era and impact:

Historical / Pioneering Newsletters

These helped shape the very idea of independent, subscriber-supported news.

• The Week (1933–1940s) by Claud Cockburn A legendary British mimeographed newsletter famous for its fearless, insider scoops on politics and international affairs. It broke major stories (like early warnings of the Spanish Civil War) and attracted high-profile subscribers including Charlie Chaplin and even royalty. Often called one of the most influential independent newsletters ever.
• In Fact (1940s) by George Seldes An “antidote to falsehood” in the press, this newsletter aggressively called out corporate influence, tobacco industry lies, and media biases. It was a bold, independent voice during a time when journalists were leaving big papers to go direct-to-reader.

Early handwritten commercial newsletters (15th–17th centuries in Venice and Europe) were hugely influential among merchants and elites, though few specific titles survive as “famous” today.

Modern Classics (Pre-Substack Boom)

These built huge audiences in the 2010s–early 2020s and set the template for witty, digest-style newsletters.

• Morning Brew The business news digest that made newsletters fun and addictive — sharp, meme-filled takes on finance and markets. It grew explosively and inspired countless imitators.
• The Hustle / The Daily Hustle Similar vibe to Morning Brew: irreverent, quick business/tech news. Still one of the biggest with millions of subscribers.
• NextDraft by Dave Pell A longtime favorite for its smart, opinionated roundup of the day’s top stories — often called “the internet’s best curator.”

Today’s Biggest & Most Influential (as of January 2026)

These dominate subscriber counts and cultural conversation.

• NYT’s The Morning The undisputed giant — over 17 million subscribers! A daily briefing from The New York Times that summarizes the biggest news with context and depth.
• Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson Historian Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack newsletter exploded during turbulent political times. It connects current events to American history and has millions of readers — often cited as Substack’s biggest breakout star.
• Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky The #1 business/product newsletter on Substack, famous for in-depth interviews, career advice, and growth insights. A must-read for tech/product folks.

Other massive modern ones include Axios AM (smart brevity news), The Skimm (daily news for busy people), and Morning Brew spin-offs like Marketing Brew.

Newsletters have come full circle: from secretive 15th-century Venetian dispatches to today’s email empires. The format’s power lies in that direct, trusted connection — and the best ones still feel like getting a smart, personal letter in your inbox.

Which style interests you most: historical scoops, daily news digests, or deep-dive expertise?