Christopher Ward

Born in 1868, Christopher Ward was closely associated with Delaware and spent part of his career as a lawyer before turning seriously to writing later in life. Archival records at the University of Delaware describe him as a professional author in the latter half of his life, and bibliographic records show that his work covered both law and literature.

Ward wrote with impressive range. He published humorous pieces such as The Triumph of the Nut, and Other Parodies, but he also became known for substantial historical works including The Dutch & Swedes on the Delaware, 1609-64, New Sweden on the Delaware, and The Delaware Continentals, 1776-1783. After his death in 1943, his large study The War of the Revolution was published, helping secure his reputation as a careful and ambitious historian.

What makes him memorable is that mix of wit and seriousness: he could parody literary styles for fun, then turn around and produce detailed books on colonial and Revolutionary America. For listeners who enjoy authors with more than one side, Ward offers both charm and scholarship.