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Title
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Royall, Anne (1769-1854)
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birthday
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1769-06-11
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Birthplace
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Baltimore, MD
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Death Date
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1854-10-01
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Occupation
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Journalist
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Newspaper Editor
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Biographical Text
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Anne Royall was a journalist and newspaper editor. Born Anne Newport, she grew up impoverished and without a father. At the age of 16 she moved from PA to VA with her mother and began working for wealthy American Revolution major, William Royall. William arranged for Royall's education, providing her with free access to his vast library. Royall spent the beginning of her career in Alabama, where she wrote the first of her "Black Books" series. These were descriptive writings on the lives of American individuals of varying lifestyles. Later, in 1824, she moved to Washington DC to petition for a federal pension as the widow of a veteran. During this time, she succeeded in completing the first presidential interview ever granted to a woman, holding President John Quincy Adams' clothes hostage during his morning swim until he answered her questions. A lasting friendship between the two arose from the interaction. Royall continued to travel and publish writings for years to follow. Between 1831 and 1854, she published two newspapers, entitled "Paul Pry" and "The Huntress." The first began in her Washington DC home, and focused on exposing political corruption and fraud. The content and stances of her writing caused much controversy and harassment. In one instance of verbally responding to the torment, she was arrested for being a public nuisance and common scold. Upon her jail fine being paid off by two reporters from "The National Intelligencer," Royall left DC, continuing her travels and writing elsewhere.
Royall married William Royall in 1797. After his passing in 1812, Royall was denied his inheritance, with his family claiming her not to be his legal wife, and leaving her penniless. Royall passed on October 1, 1854 at the age of 85. Her grave is located in the Congressional Cemetery.
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Contributor
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O'Neill, Iris
Anne Royall, Grave