Joseph Gales, Sr.

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Joseph Gales, Sr. (1760-1841) was an American journalist, newspaper publisher and political figure. He was the father of the younger Joseph Gales (1786-1860).

Gales published a newspaper known as the Register in Sheffield, England, but when he expressed sympathy with the French Revolution, he was forced to flee to Holland in 1794.^[1] From Europe, he traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he again worked as a journalist covering the United States Congress. He moved to Raleigh, North Carolina while suffering from yellow fever at the encouragement of Nathaniel Macon and other political figures.^[2]In October 1799, Gales published the first issue of his Raleigh Register. The paper, which continued after his death in the hands of his family, was influential throughout the state for the next sixty years. It became well known as a Whig-supporting paper.^[3]

From 1819 to 1833, Gales served as "intendant of police," or mayor, of Raleigh. He was also an officer in the local chapter of the American Colonization Society. In his later years, Gales moved to Washington, D.C. and became treasurer of the national organization. He favored a gradual end to slavery.^[4]

Gales returned to Raleigh in 1839. He was again elected mayor in January 1840 and held the office until his death in 1841. He is buried in Raleigh's City Cemetery. ^[5]