Earl Schenck Miers was an American historian who wrote over 100 books, many for children, and mostly about the Civil War. In the words of another notable historian, Paul Angle, Miers was one "who stressed the essential drama of events and brought the human beings of the past back to life."
Born in in Brooklyn on May 27, 1910, he struggled with cerebral palsy from birth, which made even holding a pen or pencil nearly impossible. But, after moving to Hackensack, New Jersey, he began writing as a youth anyway, carrying a typewriter to school each day. He attended Rutgers University where he studied journalism and founded the Rutgers University Press. He received honorary degrees from both Rutgers and Lincoln College.
On 17 November 1972, at the age of 62, Miers died at his home in Edison, New Jersey.
Some of his more popular children's works include three titles from the We Were There series published by Grosset & Dunlap, but he was largely responsible for the 12-volume Golden Book History series, and his Rainbow Book of American History, illustrated by James Daugherty, remains in print retitled A Child's First Book of American History.
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