The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Publicist \Pub"li*cist\, n. [Cf. F. publiciste.]
   A writer on the laws of nature and nations; one who is versed
   in the science of public right, the principles of government,
   etc.
   [1913 Webster]

         The Whig leaders, however, were much more desirous to
         get rid of Episcopacy than to prove themselves
         consummate publicists and logicians.     --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

publicist
    n 1: someone who publicizes [syn: publicist, publicizer,
         publiciser]