Arunah Shepherdson Abell

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Arunah Shepherdson Abell (August 10, 1806-April 19, 1888) was an American publisher and philanthropist. Born in East Providence, Rhode Island he was a clerk before he became an apprentice at the Providence Patriot in 1822.[1] Rhode Island. He then served as a journeyman printer in Boston and New York City. In 1836 he founded the Philadelphia Public Ledger with two partners.[2] In 1837 Abell founded the Baltimore Sun and left his two partners in control of the Ledger.[3] He remained owner of the Sun the rest of his life, and his heirs retained control of it until 1910. He was a trend-setter in several areas, establishing the daily pony express from New Orleans in 1847, being the first to use telegraphy to transmit news, and being the first to buy a Hoe sylinder press. Abell also used carrier pigeons to get news stories to the Sun quickly, although this was normally only used over short distances.[4]

Abell is memorialised in the name of Baltimore's Abell building[citation needed] and one of the Liberty ships was named after him.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Van Doren, Charles and Robert McKendry, ed., Webster's American Biographies. (Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, 1984) p. 5
  2. ^ Van Doren. American Biographies. p. 5
  3. ^ Van Doren. American Biographies. p. 5
  4. ^ Van Doren. American biographies. p. 5
  • Who Was Who in America: Historical Volume, 1607-1896, Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1967.


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