Exhibit 23(a)

          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

          We consent to the incorporation by reference in this
          Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-16135,
          related to debt securities, of The Mead Corporation on
          Form S-3 of our report dated January 25, 1996, appearing
          in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Mead Corporation
          for the year ended December 31, 1995, and to the
          reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
          Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

          DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

          Dayton, Ohio
          January 9, 1997