Prescott, William Hickling (1796-1859), an American historian, wrote chiefly about Spain and its relations with the New World and with the Protestant Reformation. His work became noted for its accuracy. Many of his writings rank as classics in the study and writing of history.
Prescott’s first historical study, The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic, was published in 1838. Two of his greatest works are The History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843) and The History of the Conquest of Peru (1847). He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, and attended Harvard University.
