Joseph Alston was an American politician who served as the Governor of South Carolina from 1812 to 1814. He was born on April 18, 1779, in South Carolina and was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. Alston was known for his efforts to improve the state's infrastructure and promote economic development during his time in office. In addition to his governorship, Alston was also a prominent planter and owned a significant amount of land. He was married to Theodosia Burr Alston, the daughter of former Vice President Aaron Burr. Alston's political career was marked by challenges, including conflicts with the state legislature and issues related to the War of 1812.