William Elliott (writer)

William Elliott (1788 – 1863) was an American planter, politician, and author from South Carolina. Born into a wealthy family with significant landholdings, Elliott served in the South Carolina legislature and was a strong advocate for states' rights. He is best known for his literary works, which focused on the natural history and culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

His most notable writings include Carolina Sports by Land and Water (1846), a collection of sporting tales and natural observations that offer a glimpse into the plantation life and hunting practices of the antebellum South. The book details various hunting and fishing experiences, interspersed with Elliott's philosophical musings on nature and society. He also authored Fugitive Pieces in Prose and Verse (1850), a collection of essays, stories, and poems that further explore themes of Southern identity, social commentary, and personal reflection.

Elliott's writing is valued today for its historical insights into the Southern aristocracy, its portrayal of the natural environment, and its contributions to Southern literature. Although a product of his time and social class, his works provide valuable perspectives on the complexities of life in the antebellum South.