Francis Parkman

Author Code: AFPX

Often referred to as America's foremost historian, Parkman was educated at Harvard University and studied law for two years. In 1846, he travelled from St Louis along the Oregon trail on horseback, living at times with the Sioux and other tribes. Although suffering from numerous ailments such as partial blindness and arthritis, Parkman established himself as an authority in his field.

His most important works were The California and Oregon Trail (1849), and his monumental series, France and England in North America. Starting with The History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac (1851), and concluding in 1892 with A Half-Century of Conflict, the series has become the definitive account of this era of North American history.