author

Edward M. Riley

b. 1911

Best known for clear, accessible books on early American history, this mid-20th-century writer helped bring places like Independence Hall and Philadelphia’s revolutionary past to life for general readers.

1 Audiobook

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pa.

Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pa.

by Edward M. Riley

About the author

Edward M. Riley was an American historian and author born in 1911. Library and catalog records for his books identify him as "Edward M. Riley, 1911-", and his work centers on colonial and Revolutionary-era America.

His books include Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pa. and Philadelphia, the Nation's Capital, 1790-1800. He also appears in catalog records as Edward Miles Riley, suggesting that was his full name.

Riley's writing is practical and readable, aimed at helping visitors and readers understand the people, places, and events behind major historic sites. His published work shows a strong interest in public history and in making the American founding era approachable for a wide audience.