Writer Pat Conroy's Beaufort Legacy

Many fans of the late author Pat Conroy consider Beaufort his town because of his autobiographical novel The Great Santini, which was set here. He, too, considered it home base: "We moved to Beaufort when I was 15. We had moved 23 times. (My father was in the Marines.) I told my mother, 'I need a home.' Her wise reply was: 'Well, maybe it will be Beaufort.' And so it has been. I have stuck to this poor town like an old barnacle. I moved away, but I came running back in 1993."

Conroy lived on Fripp Island with his wife, author Cassandra King, for many years before he passed away in 2016. In order to honor his memory and the important role he played in introducing the Lowcountry to so many readers, the Pat Conroy Literary Center was founded in Beaufort. The nonprofit organization holds an annual literary festival with writing workshops and events, and also offers in-person tours at its downtown location. Call 843/379–7025 or visit www.patconroyliterarycenter.org for more information about the center.