Austin Craig

Born in New York in 1872, Austin C. Craig was an American historian who later built much of his career in the Philippines. He is best remembered as one of the early biographers of José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, and his work helped introduce Rizal's life and ideas to a wider English-speaking readership.

Craig arrived in the Philippines in the early twentieth century as an educator. He went on to serve at the University of the Philippines, where he became the first chair of the history department. His writing often focused on Philippine history and on presenting Filipino figures and experiences more fully to readers of his time.

Among his notable books are works on Rizal as well as historical compilations such as The Former Philippines Thru Foreign Eyes and Philippine Progress Prior to 1898. He died in 1949, but his name remained familiar in Manila and in Philippine historical writing because of his long association with Rizal studies.