author
Will H. Thompson
Best remembered for the stirring Civil War poem The High Tide at Gettysburg, he also led a remarkably varied life as a lawyer, soldier, archer, and novelist. His work blends a love of history, sport, and storytelling in a way that still feels vivid today.
1 Audiobook
Tigre and Isola
by Will H. Thompson
About the author
Born in 1848, Will H. Thompson — often listed as William or Will Henry Thompson — was an American writer, lawyer, and competitive archer. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, later built a legal career, and became known both for his literary work and for his role in organized archery in the United States.
He is most closely associated with the poem The High Tide at Gettysburg, which helped secure his literary reputation. He also wrote fiction, including Tigre and Isola, and contributed to books on archery. Alongside his brother Maurice Thompson, he was active in the revival of archery in the late 19th century.
Thompson’s life reached well beyond the page. He helped found the National Archery Association, won major championships, and earned two bronze medals in archery at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. That mix of letters, public life, and sport makes him an especially memorable figure from his era.