Neal O. Hines

Born in Indiana, he studied at Indiana University and later earned a master's degree in journalism at Northwestern University in 1941. He worked as a reporter in the Midwest, trained pilots during World War II, and later taught journalism at the University of California, Berkeley.

After moving to Seattle in 1948, he became closely connected with the University of Washington. He joined a university expedition to Bikini and Eniwetok to observe the effects of atomic bomb tests, an experience that led to A Proving Ground. He later headed the university's public-information office and also spent a decade as publications director for the National Association of College and University Business Officers, where he founded the magazine Business Officer.

In his later writing, he focused on history as well as science and public life. His best-known books include Denny's Knoll, a detailed history of Seattle's original University of Washington site, along with A Proving Ground and Fish and Rare Breeding: Salmon and Trout of the Donaldson Strain. He died in 1993 at age 84.