The Tatler was founded by Richard Steele and the first issue was published on 12th April 1709. According to Steele the journal would contain "accounts of gallantry, pleasure and entertainment". At first this included reports of duels but eventually this was condemned and the journal began to argue for a "more humane civilization". For the first few years the Tatler was mainly written by Issac Bickerstaff (the pseudonym of Steele and Joseph Addison.

The Tatler employed several talented cartoonists including Phil May, F. H. Townsend, Sidney Sime, Henry M. Brock, Cyril Bird, H. M. Bateman, George Stampa, Lewis Baumer and George Belcher.