THE SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER 

March 1835

            The Southern Literary Messenger was founded in 1834 by original proprietor, Thomas Willis White. Editors of the magazine include several well known individuals: Edgar Allan Poe; Matthew Fontaine Maury, known as both the “Pathfinder of the Seas” for his work in oceanography as well as being the Admiral of the Confederate Navy; and Benjamin Blake Minor, well known attorney in Richmond. The magazine constantly strived toward being Southern and representing Southerners. The goals of the magazine stayed consistent throughout its relatively long life from 1834-1864; the Southern Literary Messenger wanted to embrace its Southern-ness, while also being “Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts”—the magazine’s subtitle for the first eleven years of its existence. The role of the owner, publisher, and proprietor of the periodical swapped hands several times throughout the existence of the magazine. While the Messenger switched political sides and administration on several occasions, its goal to remain loyal to being Southern and to be the elite Southern literary magazine never faltered.