Political Leadership

In this section find South Carolinians who served in leadership roles that helped shape policies and bring change.

Robert Smalls, Part 4 | The Big Picture
Episode 4

Video

The host is at the Charleston Museum with Director John Brumgardt where an exhibit was on display on the Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls. South Carolina State Museum along with Robert...
Robert Smalls, Part 3 | The Big Picture
Episode 3

Video

Former Mayor Joe Riley meets with the host Alex Sanders at the Charleston Waterfront Park where a monument was dedicated to Robert Smalls. They discuss how for many years Smalls' contributions had...
Robert Smalls, Part 2 | The Big Picture
Episode 2

Video

Dr. Bernard Powers of College of Charleston discusses about the early part of Robert Smalls life. When Smalls was 11-12 years old, his master decided to hire him out in Charleston doing a variety of...
Robert Smalls, Part 1 | The Big Picture
Episode 1

Video

In this episode, host Alex Sanders, takes a look at a South Carolina Civil War hero, Robert Smalls. Smalls was born as an enslaved person in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1851, Smalls was hired...
Robert F.W. Allston | History of SC Slide Collection
Robert F.W. Allston | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 4

Photo

Born in 1801 at Brookgreen Plantation, in All Saints Parish near Georgetown, Robert F.W. Allston (1801-1864) attended prep school and West Point Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1821. He...
William Aiken | History of SC Slide Collection
William Aiken | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 1

Photo

Born in Charleston in 1806, William Aiken (1806-1887) attended Hurlburt School and the South Carolina College. After receiving an inheritance from his father, he became a successful rice planter on...
James Francis Byrnes | History of SC Slide Collection
James Francis Byrnes | History of SC Slide Collection
Episode 19

Photo

James Francis Byrnes (see Governor James Byrnes) rose to prominence in South Carolina and the nation, first in the House of Representatives, and then in the Senate. A supporter of Roosevelt's New Deal...