author
1825–1897
Best known today for his account of the Great Chicago Fire, this 19th-century writer also spent many years shaping the practical world of insurance publishing. His work blends documentary detail with the brisk, informative style of someone used to writing for professionals.
Charles Cole Hine (1825–1897) was an American writer and insurance publisher. Records from library and archival sources connect him with New York City's insurance press, where he became owner and editor of the Insurance Monitor, a trade publication focused on insurance forms, policies, and industry news.
Alongside his editorial work, he wrote and compiled books on insurance law and practice, including digests, forms, and legal reference works. That professional background shows clearly in Great Chicago Fire, his detailed account of the 1871 disaster, which pays close attention not just to the event itself but also to insurance losses, relief efforts, and the city's recovery.
Although he is not a widely known literary figure today, Hine's writing preserves a useful 19th-century perspective on catastrophe, business, and public response. His books are especially interesting for listeners who enjoy firsthand-era nonfiction and historical reporting with a practical edge.