About the Author

Catherine H. Lewis grew up in Loris, South Carolina, and has lived in Horry County for most of her life. For twenty-seven years she was director of the Horry County public library system and, since her retirement, has written and lectured widely on the history of the Independent Republic. Lewis has initiated courses in the history of the county for Coastal Carolina University and gives a popular lecture series at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. In 1995 she received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Coastal Carolina University. Lewis is the mother of three sons.