Franklin H. (Franklin Harvey) Head

Born in 1832 and dying in 1914, Franklin H. Head published essays and books on history, literature, and culture. Library and catalog records connect his name with works such as Shakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes Thereof, The Heart of Chicago, Old Pictures of Life, and Studies in Medieval and Modern History.

Sources from book and library records suggest that Head was closely tied to Chicago's literary world, while a historical account of his life describes a wider career that included law, business, and western ventures before he became known in Chicago civic and literary circles. That mix of practical experience and bookish curiosity helps explain the range of his writing.

He is also remembered for an inventive streak. A later historical piece credits him with creating a literary hoax around a supposed lawsuit tied to buried treasure, showing that alongside his serious interest in history and letters, he enjoyed playful, elaborate storytelling.