Michael S Smith

Palmetto Press Michael S Smith

South Carolina's most enduring colonial newspaper "The South-Carolina Gazette" was re-established by Lewis Timothy, who came to Charleston as Benjamin Franklin's partner in 1734. Although Timothy died in an "unhappy accident" in 1738, his widow, Elizabeth, with six children and a seventh on the way, became the first female publisher in America on January 4, 1739. The Timothys published their newspapers through perilous times until the end of the 18th century but not before leaving a legacy for thousands of dedicated journalists who followed in their footsteps during troubled and difficult times. The story of South Carolina's newspapers is inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking. Journalists have struggled through financial crises, paper shortages, threats, duels, assassinations and lawsuits for almost 300 years while always remembering their mission of rooting out corruption, fighting for freedom of information and continuing Timothy's legacy of providing news and information for their readers. All profits from this book go to the Freedom of Information fund at the South Carolina Press Association.