Erwin N. Thompson

Born on August 18, 1926, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he grew up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and went on to serve in both the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II and the U.S. Army in postwar Okinawa. Those early experiences helped shape a lasting interest in military and regional history.

He became known as a historian and author with a strong focus on the Pacific Northwest, the fur trade, and the military history of the American West. He also worked as a historian for the National Park Service, producing and supporting major historical studies on places including the Presidio of San Francisco, Fort Union, Grand Portage, and other important sites.

Readers encounter his work in both scholarly studies and more accessible history writing, including books such as Shallow Grave at Waiilatpu and Defender of the Gate: The Presidio of San Francisco. He died on June 15, 1998, leaving behind a substantial body of research that continues to support historians, parks, and readers interested in the past.