Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers (1802-46)

Early American Novelist

Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008

1. Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers (1802~46) Early American Novelist Marker

Inscription. One block west of this marker -- at the northwest corner of Hull and Whitaker Streets -- stood, formerly, the residence of William Alexander Caruthers, Virginia's earliest significant novelist. He resided in Savannah for several years before his death in 1846. Dr. Caruthers, who married Louisa Catherine Gibson of Whitemarsh Island, Chatham County, moved in 1837 to this city where he successfully practiced medicine. He took a prominent part in affairs in Savannah as a realtor; was one of the founders of the Georgia Historical Society and while an Alderman, 1841-1844, was instrumental in giving Savannahians direct election of their Mayors.

As one of the South's pioneering historical romancers, Caruthers rewrote and first published at Savannah his last and finest novel, "The Knights of the Golden Horse-Shoe" (1841), one of the earliest novels to be published in book form in Georgia. His first novel, "The Kentuckian in New-York" (1834), contains an admiring description of Savannah. Dr. Caruthers died of tuberculosis at Marietta, Ga., in 1846 and is buried there in an unlocated grave in St. James' churchyard.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music

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• Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 32° 4.567′ N, 81° 5.592′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is at the intersection of Hull Street and Bull Street, on the left when traveling west on Hull Street. Marker located in Chippewa Square on Bull, between Hull and Perry Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Original Presbyterian Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Edward Oglethorpe (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Independent Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Lowell Mason (within shouting distance of this marker); Savannah Theatre (within shouting distance of this

Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers Marker near W Hull Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 9, 2008

2. Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers Marker near W Hull Street

marker); Original 1733 Burial Plot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Also see . . . Works by William Alexander Caruthers. (Submitted on March 2, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers Marker at Chippewa Square in Savannah image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

3. Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers Marker at Chippewa Square in Savannah

Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers (1802-46) Marker in <i>Forrest Gump</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, April 10, 2021

4. Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers (1802-46) Marker in Forrest Gump

The marker appears multiple times towards the right of the screen as Gump (played by Tom Hanks) relates his life.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,244 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 2, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on April 10, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.