EXHIBIT (23)


CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 33-59007) pertaining to The Mead Corporation Employees Stock
Purchase Plan, (ii) the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 2-90746) pertaining to the 1984 Stock Option Plan, (iii) the Form
S-8 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-37961 and 33-47580) pertaining to the Mead
Salaried Savings Plan, (iv) the Form S-3 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-14759
and 33-34009) pertaining to Common Shares of Selling Shareholders, (v) the Form
S-3 Registration Statements (Nos. 33-43994, 33-51337 and 333-16135) pertaining
to $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities, (vi) the Form S-8
Registration Statement (No. 33-40118) pertaining to the 1991 Stock Option Plan,
(vii) the Form S-8 Registration Statement (No. 33-03047) pertaining to the 1996
Stock Option Plan, (viii) the Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 333-16221)
pertaining to transferred stock options, and (ix) the Form S-8 Registration
Statement (No. 33-53421) pertaining to the Mead Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit
Employees, and Prospectus pertaining to Common Shares of Selling Shareholders,
included in such Registration Statement, of our report dated January 22, 1998,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Mead Corporation for the year
ended December 31, 1997.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dayton, Ohio
March 10, 1998