Frank Koester

Born Franz Köster in Sterkrade, Germany, on August 28, 1876, he later built a career in the United States as an engineer, consultant, and author. He came to the U.S. in 1902, became a naturalized citizen soon afterward, and was active in fields tied to electric power, transportation, and urban development.

He wrote extensively on engineering and public infrastructure, including books on hydroelectric development, steam-electric power plants, and modern city planning. His background in large-scale industrial systems gave his writing a practical, explanatory style that helped bring technical subjects to a wider audience.

Alongside his engineering work, he also published other kinds of writing, including the 1923 novel Under the Desert Stars. He died in New York City on October 5, 1927, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both the technological optimism and the restless energy of his era.