William Maple

William R. Maples was an American forensic anthropologist and writer whose work helped bring the field of forensic science to a wider audience. He worked at the University of Florida and became known for examining human remains in both criminal cases and historical investigations.

His best-known book, Dead Men Do Tell Tales, combines memoir, case history, and popular science. In it, he draws on years of forensic work to show how bones can reveal identity, cause of death, and hidden stories from the past.

Maples was also associated with several high-profile investigations involving figures such as the Romanov family and President Zachary Taylor. He died in 1997, but his writing and professional legacy continued through the forensic programs and scholarships that bear his name at the University of Florida.