author
Franklin Hanford
b. 1844
A retired rear admiral who turned his curiosity toward local history, he wrote lively works on western New York, place names, and early naval activity on the Genesee River. His writing blends a researcher’s care with the perspective of someone who had spent a lifetime in service and study.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Chili, New York, on November 8, 1844, Franklin Hanford built a long career in the U.S. Navy and retired as a rear admiral. After leaving active service in 1903, he returned to Scottsville, New York, where he farmed and devoted increasing attention to the history of western New York.
Hanford is remembered as both a naval officer and a local historian. Library and archival records connect him with works including On the Origin of the Names of Places in Monroe County, New York, Notes on the Visits of American and British Naval Vessels to the Genesee River, 1809–1814, and Did Betsey Ross Design the Flag of the United States of America? These writings show his strong interest in regional history, historical evidence, and the stories behind familiar names and traditions.
He died in 1928, leaving behind papers and publications that are still preserved in research collections. For listeners who enjoy authors with a deep sense of place, his work offers a window into New York history through the eyes of someone who cared about both public service and the local past.