Howard R. (Howard Roscoe) Driggs

Born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, in 1873, Howard R. Driggs became a teacher and later an English professor at the University of Utah and New York University. Alongside his academic work, he was a remarkably productive writer and editor, publishing more than 50 books, including historical works and novels.

Much of his writing grew from a deep interest in the American West, pioneer life, and the overland trails. He became especially associated with preserving the stories of the Oregon Trail and other western routes, helping popular audiences connect with that history through both scholarship and storytelling.

Driggs died in 1963, but his work still reflects a lifelong effort to make western history readable, memorable, and personal. For listeners drawn to frontier narratives, local history, and the people behind big national movements, his books offer an inviting window into that world.