John Stuart Skinner

Though likely most known for being present when Francis Scott Key penned The Star-Spangled Banner, John Stuart Skinner left his lasting mark in the United States as “the pioneer of the American agricultural press.” 

Skinner was born on February 22, 1788, to parents Frederick and Elizabeth Skinner in Calvert County, Maryland. Skinner grew up on his father’s plantation, which grew a variety of crops, but focused on corn and tobacco. There, Skinner’s lifelong interest in agriculture and livestock began. Moreover, he learned about manufacturing post-cultivation, such as spinning, tanning and distilling. While Skinner’s education started at county schools, he eventually attended one of Maryland’s best academies, Charlotte Hall, which he graduated from in 1806. That same year he was introduced to the legal profession when he began clerking at the county court, transcribing legal documents. He advanced by reading law and clerking at the Maryland Legislature, passing the bar in 1809. 

The War of 1812 brought Skinner many opportunities. President Madison appointed him as the Inspector of European Mail charging Skinner with ensuring that “nothing transpired prejudicial to the interests of the republic or offensive to the enemies thus admitted.” In this role and his roles as U.S. Navy Purser and Agent for Prisoners of War, Skinner built strong relationships with U.S. and British military leaders. However, relations were not always positive. When the British forces marched toward Washington, Skinner rode 90 miles on horseback to alert President Madison. Consequently, the British burned some of Skinner’s property. While arranging a prisoner exchange for Dr. Willian Beanes from Rear Admiral George Cockburn, Skinner was held on a British ship during the bombardment of Fort McHenry with Francis Scott Key. With Key’s permission, it is thought that Skinner had the “Defense of Fort McHenry” poem, now The Star-Spangled Banner, published in newspapers. 

At the War of 1812’s conclusion, Skinner dedicated his time to two professions. For 23 years starting in 1816, he held the post of Baltimore’s Postmaster (again appointed by President Madison). When not at his day job, Skinner focused on agricultural journalism. He wrote to Thomas Jefferson, 

It struck me that a publick journal, which should afford the means of promulgating scientific researches, and of recording the results of actual experiment…would facilitate improvements, and would, of course, prove highly beneficial to the best interests of society. 

He called the journal American Farmer. His first volume was published in 1819, and it was the first U.S. paper to focus on agriculture. Readers lived all over the country and paid $4 per year to subscribe. The paper featured notable contributors like Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, and Andrew Jackson, who covered an array of subjects such as cultivation in different climates, produce prices, scientific tests and livestock. Leaders of agricultural societies applauded the work as the go-to guide for the American farmer. Skinner moved on from American Farmer in 1830 to pursue other publishing opportunities. He wrote, edited or published numerous other papers in his life including The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil and American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine. The latter focused on horse racing and other sports; Skinner had an interest in these as he grew up riding, hunting and fishing.  He regularly traveled the country, from New England to New Orleans, to speak to agricultural societies about his research and ways to improve crops and livestock. 

Skinner died suddenly on March 21, 1851, at age 64. Working at his office, he mistook one door for another and instead of exiting the room as intended, he toppled down the stairs cracking his skull. Clerks in his office found him speechless and called for doctors, but there was no reviving him. His wife of 39 years, Elizabeth, was present when he died.  He was also survived by his son, Frederick Gustavus Skinner, who eventually fought at the Battle of Manassas and Gettysburg as a Confederate Colonel. Skinner was buried in Westminster Hally and Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Clipper remembered him as “no ordinary man. He was known throughout the whole Union for his talents, untiring industry, and strict integrity.”

Further Reading:

Biographical sketch of John Stuart Skinner by Ben Perley Poore. Reprinted by John L. O'Connor from The Plow, The Loom and The Anvil (1854).