The Star, The Saint and The City: a Lecture and Book Signing

You are invited to a book lecture by local author Bill Briggs on “How Sam Brannon’s Newspaper Heralded The Gold Rush and Created San Francisco.” Admission is free for MHAA members, $10 for all others.

Like a Greek tragedy set in Gold Rush California Bill Brigg's book, The Star, the Saint, and the City is the true story of publisher Samuel Brannan, who amassed California’s first great fortune. He became early San Francisco’s most influential and flamboyant figure after trading his Mormon faith for his belief in the future of California, only to lose his fortune and die in obscurity.

In this engaging event on Sunday, February 11, 2pm-4pm, our expert speaker, William Briggs, will guide you through the pages of history, exploring the fascinating interplay between media, entrepreneurship, and the shaping of a city. Discover how Sam Brannan, a dynamic figure of the Gold Rush era, used the power of the press to not only report on the unfolding events but also to influence and guide the course of one of the most transformative periods in American history.

Author William Briggs is an Emeritus California State University Dean of Communications and author of two previous volumes of California history, Badass Lawman and That Pirate, Bouchard.