Howard M. Chapin

author

Howard M. Chapin

1887–1940

A meticulous historian and collector, he devoted much of his career to preserving Rhode Island’s early records and stories. His books on colonial history, privateering, and local genealogy remain useful to researchers and history readers alike.

1 Audiobook

How to Enamel

by Howard M. Chapin

About the author

Working in the early 20th century, Howard M. Chapin became known for his deep interest in Rhode Island history and historical documents. He wrote and compiled works on subjects including colonial government, privateers, and family history, with titles such as Documentary History of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Privateers in King George's War, 1739–1748.

His career was closely tied to the Rhode Island Historical Society, where later staff remembered him as an important earlier figure in shaping and organizing the collections. That connection fits the larger pattern of his work: careful research, strong attention to primary sources, and a clear commitment to making local history easier to study.

Though he died in 1940, his books and compiled records have continued to circulate through libraries and digital archives. For listeners who enjoy history grounded in original documents and regional detail, his work offers a window into the people, institutions, and conflicts that shaped early Rhode Island.