William H. Prescott (original) (raw)
William Hickling Prescott (May 4, 1796 - January 29, 1859) was a historian most famous for his books The History of Ferdinand and Isabella, The Conquest of Mexico, and The Conquest of Peru.
William H. Prescott was born in Salem, Massachusetts to William Prescott, Jr. and his wife, n�e Catherine Greene Hickling. His grandfather William Prescott served as a Colonel during the American Revolutionary War.
Prescott suffered from failing eyesight after a thrown crust of bread was temporarily lodged in his eye, while attending Harvard University.
Much of Prescott's work was based on his researches with unpublished documents in archives in Spain.
W. H. Prescott died of a stroke in Boston, Massachusetts.