The Charleston Mercury

The South Carolina State Library occasionally features oversized volumes from the A. S. Salley and Rare Book Collections. Be sure to check out the current display featuring the October-December 1861 volume of The Charleston Mercury.

1861 issue of the Charleston Mercury

The Charleston Mercury, a historic newspaper founded in 1819 in Charleston, South Carolina, held a formidable presence in the antebellum South. Renowned for its advocacy of states' rights, nullification, and later secession, it became a pivotal voice in the region. Notably, during the secession crisis preceding the Civil War, the Charleston Mercury emerged as a leading proponent of South Carolina's withdrawal from the Union. 

Throughout the Civil War, The Charleston Mercury served as a staunch supporter of the Confederacy, disseminating news, commentary, and propaganda to its readership. The paper closed in 1868 due to financial challenges exacerbated by the war's aftermath.

Upcoming Event

Len Lawson phot and the cover of his book, New Names for Stars.

Speaker at the Center Presents Len Lawson, Poet and Author

June 16, 2026, 6:00 PM

Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk on June 16th at 6:00 for our talk with Len Lawson, Poet and Author of New Names for Stars, accompanied by Miho Kinnas and Kathleen Nalley. Len Lawson is the winner of the Lit Fox Award (Lit Fox Books, 2026). He will be joined by Japanese poet Miho Kinnas and author Kathleen Nalley in reading selections from his newest release.

Photo of Tom Elmore in a kilt in a cemetary.

Speaker at the Center: Tom Elmore presents the "Swamp Fox" in Media

June 18, 2026, 2:30 PM

Historian Tom Elmore, who has over twenty years of experience as a book, TV, and film reviewer, takes a look at some of the major works about Francis Marion and examines what they got right and what they got wrong, with a particular emphasis placed on the 1950s Disney mini-series.  Prepare to be educated, entertained, and amused!

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