Watson Parker
Watson Parker (June 15, 1924 – January 9, 2013) was an American historian, author and academic. Parker, a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, specialized in the history of the Black Hills of South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.[1][2] He was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2011 for his work.[3]
Background
Parker was born in 1924.
Career
Parker authored three books, as well as numerous papers and notes on the history of the Black Hills throughout his career.
Parker devoted considerable research to the history of the Black Hills'
Teaching
He taught history at University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh for twenty-one years before retiring to the Black Hills.[1] He continued to write, research and lecture after retirement.[1] He was also a supporter and consultant for the Adams Museum & House in Deadwood.[3]
Parker's works were used as research for the American television series Deadwood, which aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. According to Mary Kopco, the director of the Deadwood History Foundation, the first book that Deadwood creator and director David Milch purchased as research for the show was Parker's Deadwood: The Golden Years.[1] Milch and his staff later bought many of Parker's books and papers for the show.[1]
Induction into South Dakota Hall of Fame
In September 2011, Parker was one of fourteen South Dakotans inducted into the
Watson Parker died in Rapid City, South Dakota, on January 9, 2013, at the age of 88.[1]
Bibliography
- Watson Parker; Hugh K. Lambert (1980) [1974]. Black Hills Ghost Towns. Swallow Press. ISBN 978-0-8040-0638-5.
- Watson Parker (1981). Deadwood: The Golden Years. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-3600-4.
- Watson Parker (2012) [1982]. Gold in the Black Hills. SDSHS Press. ISBN 978-0-9852817-6-2.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Taylor Rick, Lynn (January 10, 2013). "'Dean' of Black Hills history dies". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Rees, Doug (2006). "Ghost Town Friends". South Dakota Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Holland Rick, Deb (September 11, 2011). "Fourteen South Dakotans added to state hall of fame". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ Date information sourced from Library of Congress Authorities data, via corresponding WorldCat Identities linked authority file (LAF).
- ^ a b Directory of American Scholars, 6th ed. (Bowker, 1974), Vol. I, p. 481.