F. Hopkinson Smith - Tom Grogan: The Bestseller of 1896

Francis Hopkinson Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 23rd, 1838, the grandson of Francis Hopkinson, a signatory to the Declaration of Independence.

Smith was educated at the Boys' Latin School of Maryland and from there he built a very successful career as author, painter and engineer.

Initially he became a contractor in New York City and worked mainly for the federal government, helping to build the stone ice-breaker at Bridgeport, Connecticut, the jetties at the mouth of the C...