N. (Nehemiah) Hawkins

Writing as N. Hawkins, Nehemiah Hawkins was a prolific American author and editor whose work appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He is especially associated with accessible instructional books, including the widely known Hawkins Electrical Guide, which presents electrical knowledge in a practical question-and-answer style.

His publishing career seems to have centered on making technical and vocational subjects easier for everyday readers, students, and working professionals. Rather than writing for specialists alone, he focused on clear explanations and heavily illustrated guidance, helping readers build useful skills in fields connected with engineering, electricity, and the mechanical trades.

Because his books were designed to teach real-world practice, they still give a good sense of how people learned technical work in his era. For listeners interested in older manuals, trade knowledge, and the history of everyday technology, his work offers a direct window into that world.