Nathan C. (Nathan Chapman) Kouns

Born in Fulton, Missouri, in 1833, Nathan Chapman Kouns was educated at home and at St. Charles College, where he graduated in 1852. He studied law and worked as a lawyer, but he also devoted much of his energy to literature, classical learning, and religious history.

Kouns wrote historical novels including Arius the Libyan and Dorcas: The Daughter of Faustina, both set against the background of the early Church and the Roman world. Reference works also describe him as an American novelist and note that he served as Missouri's State Librarian from 1886 until his death in 1890.

Though he is not widely known today, his work still circulates through public-domain libraries, especially Arius the Libyan. His fiction reflects a strong interest in faith, doctrine, and the drama of the ancient world, making him an interesting rediscovery for listeners who enjoy forgotten historical novels.