Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-8 Registration
Statements (Nos. 33-59007 and 333-36724) 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-8 Registration Statement (No. 33-40118) pertaining
to the 1991 Stock Option Plan, (vi) the Form S-8 Registration Statement (No.
33-03047) pertaining to the 1996 Stock Option Plan, (vii) the Form S-3
Registration Statement (No. 333-16221) pertaining to transferred stock options,
(viii) the Form S-8 Registration Statement (No. 333-61285) pertaining to The
Mead Corporation Executive Capital Accumulation Plan, 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 25, 2001, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Mead
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dayton, Ohio
March 7, 2001