South Carolina from A to Z

“D” is for Drayton, John (1766-1822). Governor, jurist, author. Although he had a distinguished political career, Drayton is most remembered for his achievements as a writer and a botanist.

“C” is for Chesnut, James, Jr. (1815-1885). U.S. Senator, soldier.

“C” is for Cherokees. The Cherokees were one of the largest southeastern Native American nations with which South Carolina colonists had contact.

“B” is for Blackbeard (d. 1718). Pirate. Most commonly known today as Edward Teach, Blackbeard surfaced in Jamaica in mid-1717. In eighteen months he carved an extraordinarily successful career as a pirate, creating an indelible image of “the fiercest pirate of them all” and making him a global icon.

“W” is for Willington Academy. The Willington Academy of Doctor Moses Waddel, a log-constructed classical school for boys, was perhaps the most prestigious preparatory school in antebellum South Carolina.

"S” is for Sothel, Seth (d. 1694). Proprietory, governor.

“S” is for Sonoco. This Hartsville-based international packaging manufacturer had its beginnings in the late nineteenth century.

“S” is for Snowden, Mary Amarinthia (1819-1898). Philanthropist.

“S” is for Smyth, Thomas (1808-1873). Clergyman, author.

“S” is for Smyth, Ellison Adger (1847-1942). Industrialist.

“S” is for Smith, William Loughton (1758 to 1812). Lawyer, congressman, diplomat.

“S” is for Smith, William (ca. 1762-1840). U. S. senator.

“S” is for Smith, Thomas (ca. 1648-1694). Governor.

“R” is for Rutledge, Edward (1749-1800). Lawyer, governor.

“P” is for Port Royal (Beaufort County, 2020 population 14,516).

“M” is for Moultrie, John (ca.1699-1771). Physician.

“M “is for Moultrie, James, Jr. (1793-1869). Physician, medical educator.

“M” is for Motte, Rebecca Brewton (1737-1815). Revolutionary War heroine.

“M” is for Moses, Ottolengui Aaron (1846-1906). Chemist, geologist, inventor.

“M “is for Moses, Franklin J., Jr. (ca.1840 to 1906). Governor.

“M” is for Morton, Joseph, Sr. (ca.1630-1688). Governor.

“L” is for Lunz, George Robert, Jr. (1909-1969). Museum curator, marine biologist.

“H” is for Hunter-Gault, Charlayne (b.1942). Journalist, civil rights activist.

“G” is for Gridley, Mary Putnam (1850-1939). Civic leader, businesswoman.

“C” is for Colleton, Sir John (1608-1666). Under Sir John Colleton's direction, the proprietor set out to populate Carolina with settlers from existing new world colonies, including New England, Virginia, and the Caribbean islands, especially Barbados.

“C” is for Cleveland, Georgia Alden (1851-1914). Writer, activist.

“C” is for Chapman, Martha Marshall, II (b. 1949). Musician. Classified by many as a country-music artist, Martha Marshall Chapman,II, and her style nonetheless have been difficult to categorize.

“B” is for Bonham, Milledge Luke (1813-1890). Soldier, congressman, governor.

“B” is for Bolden, Charles Frank, Jr. (1946-2017). Soldier, astronaut.

“B” is for Boineau, Charles Evans, Jr. (1923-2005). Legislator. Boineau was the first Republican to be elected to the South Carolina General Assembly in the twentieth century.

“C” is for Colhoun, John Ewing (ca.1749-1802). U.S. senator.

“C” is for College of Charleston. In 1785 the General Assembly passed an act creating a college “in or near the city of Charleston.”

“C” is for Coker's Pedigreed Seed Company. Coker's Pedigreed Seed Company had its origins in the efforts of David R. Coker to develop and market a highly productive variety of upland cotton that yielded fiber of superior quality and length.

“C” is for Coker University. Founded in 1908 Coker is an independent liberal arts school located in Hartsville.

“B” is for a Bowles, Crandall Close (b.1947). Businesswoman.

“S” is for Smith, Nell Whitley (1929-2011). Legislator, educator, businesswoman.

“S” is for Smith, Benjamin (1717-1770). Merchant, politician, planter.

“S” is for Smith, Ellison Durant (1864-1944). In 1908 Smith stunned the political establishment by winning election to the United States Senate. He remained there for thirty-six years.

Thanks to the widespread popularity of his instrumental hit “Guitar Boogie,” Arthur Smith became one of the best known guitarists in country music.

Born in Charleston, Smith emerged as the leading artist of the Charleston Renaissance.

“H” is for Hunter, John (d. 1802). Congressman, U.S. senator.

“G” is for Grimké, Archibald Henry (1849-1930). Activist, scholar.

“C” is for Coker, David Robert (1870-1938). Businessman, plant breeder, philanthropist.

“C” is for Coker, Charles Westfield (1879-1931). Businessman, philanthropist, social reformer.