Herbert W. Slater

Herbert W. Slater (August 20, 1874 – August 13, 1947) was an English-born American newspaper publisher and long-time legislator in California. After an accident in 1919, Slater lost his eyesight, however, went on to serve in California politics for nearly thirty years afterward, earning him the nickname "the Blind Senator."

Early life and career Slater was born on August 20, 1874 in the city of Hereford in the west of England. His father was a clergyman of the Church of England. He completed his early education in England.

During the early 1890s, Slater emigrated to the United States, briefly living in New York City; New Orleans; and Monterey, California. In 1892 he moved to Santa Rosa where he took a job as a ranch-hand in Fulton.

Shortly after his arrival, Slater began working as a crank operator on the newspaper press for the Sonoma Press Democrat. By 1894 he became the paper's editor, serving in that capacity until 1911 when the paper merged with Ernest L. Finley's The Press Democrat. Slater would continue to write for the newspaper for the rest of his life.

Slater never married or had any children. He was known to be fond of gourmet dining. A scholarship at the Santa Rosa Junior College is also named for him.