Pearl Rivers

Biography

Eliza Jane Poitevent, known professionally as Pearl Rivers, rose from a modest beginning in 1843 to become the guiding voice of the New Orleans Daily Picayune. She made her mark as a writer and then as the newspaper's publisher, bringing literary flair to reporting and giving space to conversations on culture, education, and the everyday challenges of her fellow Louisianans.

Throughout her tenure she championed female writers and civic improvement, letting the newsroom reflect the breadth of life along the Gulf Coast. She left a legacy of journalism marked by integrity and empathy and rests at Metairie Cemetery, where admirers continue to honor her contributions.