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Ann Franklin publishes the Newport Mercury, becoming the first American female editor and publisher and the first woman

Ann Franklin publishes the Newport Mercury, becoming the first American female editor and publisher and the first woman inducted into the University of Rhode Island's Journalism Hall of Fame

The Newport Mercury was an early American colonial newspaper founded in 1758 by Ann Smith Franklin (1696–1763), and her son, James Franklin (1730–1762), the nephew of Benjamin Franklin. The newspaper was printed on a printing press imported by Franklin's father, James Franklin (1697–1735), in 1717 from London. The Mercury may be the first newspaper published by a woman in the colonial United States. The Mercury was the also first paper to publish poetry by an African American woman, Phillis Wheatley.

The Mercury was published regularly up to the time the British Army occupied Newport in December 1776, when the press and types were buried.

Historical Significance

The Newport Mercury was an early American colonial newspaper founded in 1758 by Ann Smith Franklin (1696–1763), and her son, James Franklin (1730–1762), the nephew of Benjamin Franklin.

Events Before

  1. Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defe

    Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defeats the mostly Hindu Maratha Empire in northern India. An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people are killed in the fighting, and about 40,000 Maratha prisoners are massacred afterward.

  2. Jurist William Blackstone (37) weds Sarah Clitherow

    Jurist William Blackstone (37) weds Sarah Clitherow

  3. Marriage of George III of the United Kingdom to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Queen Charlotte)

    Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Sophia Charlotte; 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was Queen of Great Britain and Ireland as the wife of King George III from their marriage on 8 September 1761...

  4. The British capture Pondicherry, India, from the French

    Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, is the capital and most populous city of the Union Territory of Puducherry in India.

  5. 1st life insurance policy in North America issued in Philadelphia

    1st life insurance policy in North America issued in Philadelphia

Events After

  1. Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain

    The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…

  2. Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev

    Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War

  3. Founding Father of the United States Roger Sherman (42) weds second wife Rebecca Prescott (20)

    Founding Father of the United States Roger Sherman (42) weds second wife Rebecca Prescott (20)

  4. Philosopher Marquis de Sade (22) weds Renee Pelagie de Montreuil in Paris

    Philosopher Marquis de Sade (22) weds Renee Pelagie de Montreuil in Paris

  5. George III of Great Britain issues the Proclamation of 1763, closing lands in North America north and west of the Allegh

    George III of Great Britain issues the Proclamation of 1763, closing lands in North America north and west of the Alleghenies to white settlement

More from the 1760s

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defe

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defeats the mostly Hindu Maratha Empire in northern India. An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people are killed in the fighting, and about 40,000 Maratha prisoners are massacred afterward.

Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain

The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 22, 1762?
The Newport Mercury was an early American colonial newspaper founded in 1758 by Ann Smith Franklin (1696–1763), and her son, James Franklin (1730–1762), the nephew of Benjamin Franklin. The newspaper was printed on a printing press imported by Franklin's father, James Franklin (1697–1735), in 1717 from London. The Mercury may be the first newspaper published by a woman in the colonial United States.
Why is Ann Franklin publishes the Newport Mercury, becoming the first American femal... significant?
The Newport Mercury was an early American colonial newspaper founded in 1758 by Ann Smith Franklin (1696–1763), and her son, James Franklin (1730–1762), the nephew of Benjamin Franklin.

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August 22 in HistoryYear 1762