author
Francis Russell
1910–1989
Known for lively, deeply researched books on American history, this Boston-born writer brought political scandals, famous trials, and overlooked episodes of the past to a wide audience. His work ranged from Warren G. Harding to Sacco and Vanzetti, with a knack for making big historical stories feel immediate.
1 Audiobook
Tragedy in Dedham : The story of the Sacco-Venzetti case
by Francis Russell
About the author
An American author and historian, Francis Russell was born in Boston on January 12, 1910, and wrote widely about American history and historical figures. He studied at Bowdoin College and later earned a master's degree from Harvard, building the scholarly background that shaped his career.
Russell became especially well known for The Shadow of Blooming Grove, his book on Warren G. Harding, and for Tragedy in Dedham: The Story of the Sacco-Vanzetti Case, which won an Edgar Award. He also contributed to magazines including American Heritage and wrote on subjects ranging from the American Revolution to literary criticism.
During World War II, he served in the Canadian Army, reaching the rank of captain. He died in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on March 20, 1989, leaving behind a body of work remembered for making complicated moments in American history readable and compelling.