This biography is about one of North Carolina’s early governors, an advocate for public education in the post–Colonial period. Benjamin Smith (1757–1826) came from a distinguished South Carolina family and acquired enormous wealth in the Cape Fear region as a member of the planter class. Like his elite white peers, Smith was active in public life, in county government and as a legislator in state politics. He promoted public schools, the University of North Carolina, domestic manufacturing, banking, penal reform, and internal improvements. Earning the nickname “General” because of his militia activities, he rose to governorship but ended up dying in poverty.

Alan D. Watson is a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His articles have appeared in William and Mary Quarterly, South Carolina Historical Magazine and North Carolina Historical Review. He lives in Wilmington.

Alan D. Watson

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 255
Bibliographic Info: 21 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6156-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8528-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Introduction 1
1. South Carolinian 5
2. Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear 24
3. North Carolinian 34
4. Benefactor 47
5. Smithville 61
6. General 74
7. Speaker 88
8. Francophobe 100
9. Planter 115
10. Republican 127
11. Duelist 138
12. Adjutant General 146
13. Governor 162
14. Denouement and Death 181
15. Remembrance and Rehabilitation 198
Notes 207
Bibliography 233
Index 243