author
Francis Kingsley Ball
1863–1942
Best remembered for lively history readers and classical schoolbooks, this American educator wrote to make big subjects feel approachable to young learners. His books range from Greek grammar to retellings of Ulysses and collections of American history stories.
1 Audiobook
Hero Stories from American History For Elementary Schools
by Albert F. (Albert Franklin) Blaisdell, Francis Kingsley Ball
About the author
Born in 1863, Francis Kingsley Ball was an American writer and educator whose work was aimed largely at students and schools. Records gathered here link him with a long list of educational books, including The Elements of Greek, A German Grammar, The Adventures of Ulysses, and several school history readers.
He appears especially associated with clear, classroom-friendly retellings of history. With Albert F. Blaisdell, he coauthored books such as Hero Stories from American History, Short Stories from American History, and American History for Little Folks, all designed to introduce younger readers to the past through vivid narrative rather than dry summary.
Listings from major library and catalog sources place his life in 1863–1942. While detailed biographical information was limited in the reliable sources available, his bibliography shows a writer deeply involved in language teaching, classical learning, and making history accessible to children.