author

J. Franklin (John Franklin) Reigart

1813–1884

A 19th-century Pennsylvania writer with a knack for turning local history and invention into lively narrative, he is best remembered for books on Robert Fulton and the early American flag. His work helped preserve stories that later became part of the popular memory of the Revolution.

1 Audiobook

The History of the First United States Flag and the Patriotism of Betsy Ross, the Immortal Heroine That Originated the First Flag of the Union

The History of the First United States Flag and the Patriotism of Betsy Ross, the Immortal Heroine That Originated the First Flag of the Union

by J. Franklin (John Franklin) Reigart

About the author

J. Franklin Reigart, also listed as John Franklin Reigart, was an American author born in 1813 and died in 1884. Surviving bibliographic records connect him especially with Pennsylvania subjects and with books that blended biography, patriotic history, and practical reference writing.

Among the works reliably tied to him are The Life of Robert Fulton and The History of the First United States Flag. Catalog and library records also show that he wrote The Inventor's and Patentee's Guide and Pocket Record, suggesting an interest not only in historical storytelling but also in the world of invention and patent law.

Reigart is often associated with Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later references note his death in Harrisburg with burial in Lancaster. Although many details of his personal life are hard to confirm from readily available sources, his books show a clear fascination with American ingenuity, Revolutionary-era memory, and the people behind famous national symbols.