Francis Lynde Kroll

Born in Fairbury, Nebraska, on November 9, 1904, Francis Lynde Kroll attended the University of Nebraska from 1923 to 1926, though he did not complete a degree. He later taught in Nebraska and South Dakota schools, and archival records also note that he married Viola Hathaway in 1926 and that they had three sons.

Kroll wrote books for young readers, including Young Sioux Warrior, Young Sand Hills Cowboy, Young Crow Raider, Young Medicine Man, and Top Hand. Nebraska literary sources also credit him with numerous one-act plays for children, along with short stories and magazine work.

He died on November 12, 1973. Although his work reflects the adventure-story tradition of its time, his books remain tied to Nebraska's literary history and to a long interest in the people, places, and legends of the West.