Francis Lynde Kroll

Born in Fairbury, Nebraska, on November 9, 1904, Francis Lynde Kroll grew up in the state that would shape much of his writing. He attended the University of Nebraska in the 1920s, later earned A.B. and M.A. degrees from Chadron State College, and spent much of his working life in education.

Kroll taught in Nebraska and South Dakota schools, later worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and then returned to education. From 1964 until his retirement in 1971, he served as superintendent of schools in the Nebraska communities of Sunol, Palisade, and Orleans.

His writing career began with a play written for his students in 1936, and he continued writing for decades. He focused mainly on readers ages 9 to 13, creating plays, short stories, and western-frontier novels such as Young Sioux Warrior, Young Sandhills Cowboy, Young Crow Raider, Young Medicine Man, and Top Hand. His stories often centered on the frontier and Native American life, with an eye for action and a strong sense of place.