William Hickling Prescott – American 19th-century historian, author of The History of the Conquest of Mexico and The History of the Conquest of Peru. Born in Boston in 1796, he lost sight in one eye as a youth and worked nearly blind. Despite this, he became the first American historian to achieve international acclaim. His vivid narratives of conquistadors read like epic novels while rooted in scholarship.
📖 Relied on secretaries to read sources aloud and used a custom writing device. ⚔️ Conquest of Mexico (1843) was a sensation in Europe and America. 🌎 His works were quickly translated into French, Spanish, and German. 📚 Commissioned documents from Spanish archives for accuracy. 🏛 His style was dubbed “romantic realism” – history as epic. 👁 Rarely travelled due to poor eyesight, yet recreated the New World brilliantly. 🎓 Honoured as a member of the Royal Academy of History in Madrid. 😅 Funny note: joked he wrote “through other people’s eyes” since he dictated most of his books.