John Zeigler

John Asbury Zeigler Jr.
Born	(1912-02-05) 5 February 1912 Manning, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	2 October 2015(2015-10-02) (aged 103)
Occupation(s)	Poet, bookseller, philanthropist
Years active	1946–2015
Known for	Proprietor of Charleston’s Book Basement; poetry reflecting maritime life; philanthropy in Charleston

John Asbury Zeigler Jr. (February 5, 1912 – October 2, 2015) was the proprietor of Charleston’s Book Basement alongside his long-term companion Edwin D. Peacock.

Biography

Zeigler was born in Manning, South Carolina, and completed his secondary education in Florence before enrolling at the Citadel. There, he established the literary publication The Shako and took part in the Dock Street Theatre’s playwright contest.

In 1940, Zeigler encountered Edwin Peacock on the Isle of Palms. During the Second World War, he served as a radioman, an experience that influenced his poetic works reflecting maritime life and time spent in Alaska. Among his notable wartime contributions, he captained a vessel bearing the American flag at the conclusion of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Following the war’s end, Zeigler and Peacock launched the Book Basement in 1946 at 9 College Way, located in Zeigler’s familial residence. This bookstore grew into a significant independent establishment and became a gathering place for civil rights activists as well as Charleston’s LGBTQ community. Distinguished guests such as Maurice Sendak and Langston Hughes visited frequently and developed friendships with the owners. The store’s promotional materials featured artwork by Prentiss Taylor for many years. Historian Harlan Greene described the shop as a welcoming "oasis." The bookstore ceased operations in 1971, after which the College of Charleston acquired the property. A commemorative plaque honors both Peacock and Zeigler.

Both men were actively involved with Charleston’s NAACP chapter. Zeigler was also a member of the Poetry Society of South Carolina and authored The Edwin Poems, a collection dedicated to their partnership.

Zeigler appears under a pseudonym in Jeb and Dash: A Diary of Gay Life 1918-1945, which documents gay experiences in early 20th-century America.

After Peacock passed away in 1989, Zeigler devoted himself to philanthropy, establishing fifteen music scholarships at the College of Charleston and contributing to organizations such as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Spoleto Festival USA.

In 2009, James T. Sears released Edwin and John: A Personal History of the American South, a biographical account of their lives.

Zeigler was honored with the Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award in 2013.

He passed away on October 2, 2015, at the age of 103.