William MacHarg

Born in Dover Plains, New York, in 1872, William Briggs MacHarg was an American journalist and writer. He is remembered today mainly for popular fiction from the early 1900s, especially mystery and detective stories.

A large part of his reputation comes from his collaborations with fellow writer Edwin Balmer, his brother-in-law. Together they wrote The Achievements of Luther Trant in 1910, a collection often noted for its early use of scientific detection, and later novels including The Surakarta, The Blind Man's Eyes, and The Indian Drum.

MacHarg also wrote on his own, including the novel Peewee, and his stories appeared in major magazines of the time. He died in Alpine, New Jersey, in 1951, leaving behind a body of work that still appeals to readers who enjoy early suspense, adventure, and detective fiction.