After her son James Jr.'s death, Ann Franklin became sole editor and publisher of the Newport Mercury on August 22, 1762 — the first female newspaper editor in America.
On August 22, 1762, following the death of her son James Franklin Jr., Ann Franklin assumed full control of the Newport Mercury as its sole editor and publisher. This transition marked her recognition as the first female newspaper editor in America, a title she earned through decades of hands-on experience in the printing trade.
James Jr. had co-founded the Newport Mercury with his mother in 1758, and upon his untimely death, Ann — then in her sixties — stepped into the demanding role of editor without hesitation. Remarkably, sources note that she never missed a single issue of the paper during her tenure, a testament to her diligence, organizational skill, and deep familiarity with every aspect of newspaper production, from reporting and editing to typesetting and distribution.
This achievement was extraordinary in an era when women were almost entirely excluded from public professional roles, particularly in fields requiring literacy, business management, and public visibility such as journalism. Ann's editorship of the Newport Mercury demonstrated that women could successfully manage complex publishing operations, set editorial direction, and maintain the trust of a colonial readership.
Her role as editor built upon her earlier work as official printer to the Rhode Island colony and her printing of the colony's Acts and Laws, positioning her as one of the most accomplished and respected printers — male or female — in eighteenth-century America. Her legacy paved the way for future generations of women in journalism and publishing.