Margaret Green Draper facts for kids

Margaret Green Draper (born May 3, 1727 – died around 1804) was an important American printer and journalist. A printer is someone who uses a machine to print books, newspapers, or other materials. A journalist writes for newspapers or magazines.

Margaret was a great-granddaughter of Samuel Green, who was one of the very first printers in America. She was also one of the first women in America to run her own business. During the American Revolutionary War, she was a United Empire Loyalist. This means she supported the British king and government, even when many Americans wanted independence.

Margaret Draper: A Pioneer Printer

Margaret Green Draper was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 3, 1727.

Early Life and Family

On May 30, 1750, Margaret married her cousin, Richard Draper. They did not have their own children, but they adopted one of Margaret's nieces.

Running a Newspaper During Wartime

Richard Draper passed away on June 6, 1774. After his death, Margaret took over their family newspaper, The Massachusetts Gazette and The Boston News-Letter. This newspaper supported the British side during the American Revolution.

Running a newspaper was a big job, especially during a war. Margaret was very good at it. Six other newspapers that were her competitors actually closed down while she was in charge.

Life After the Revolution

The American Revolutionary War was a time of great change. After the Siege of Boston, many Loyalists, including Margaret Draper, left Boston. They sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 17, 1776. This day is now known as Evacuation Day in Massachusetts.

From Halifax, Margaret traveled to England. There, she asked the British government for a pension, which is like a regular payment. She was successful in getting this support.

Margaret Green Draper died in London, England, around the year 1804.