Nelson Poynter was an influential American newspaper publisher and philanthropist, best known for his role in the development of the St. Petersburg Times, now known as the Tampa Bay Times. He played a significant part in promoting journalistic integrity and community service through his work in the newspaper industry. In addition to his publishing career, Poynter was a strong advocate for education and media ethics. He established the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in 1975, which focuses on training journalists and improving the standards of journalism. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field of media.