William Gilmore Simms (April 17, 1806 – June 11, 1870) was an American writer and politician from the American South. Literary scholars consider him a major force in antebellum Southern literature; in 1845 Edgar Allan Poe pronounced him the best novelist America had ever produced, and he also published poetry and nonfiction, as well as edited several journals. Simms strongly supported slavery; in response to Uncle Tom's Cabin he wrote both negative reviews and a pro-slavery novel. He also served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1844–1846.
Also known as
Politician, Poet, Novelist, Historian
