William D. Middleton is the author of more than 20 books and many hundreds of articles on rail transportation, engineering, and travel topics. He is editor (with George M. Smerk and Roberta L. Diehl) of Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).William D. Middleton III is a contributor to the Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).

• Foreword by John L. Sprague Acknowledgments1. A Boyhood in New England2. The Midshipman Inventor3. Sprague and the New World of Electricity4. Triumph at Richmond5. Sprague and the Electric Elevator6. Frank Sprague and the Multiple Unit Train7. Electrifying the Main Line Railroads8. The Naval Consulting Board and the Great War9. Sprague and Railroad Safety10. A Diverse Inventor11. An Inventor and Engineer to the End12. EpilogueAppendix A. Frank Julian Sprague PatentsAppendix B. Frank Julian Sprague Honors and AwardsAppendix C. Common Electrical TermsNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

"No one has previously used Sprague's personal papers in a published biography . . . Recommended.May 2010"—Choice"The authors weave this biography through time, with technological and political details that make Sprague human, a creative soul pressing his ideas with a sports-like outcome—some wins, some losses, and some ties. . . . I recommend this well-written book detailing the life of the 'Father of Electric Traction' to explain the development of what we so casually take for granted.April 2010"—Trains"Frank Sprague . . . is a major historical figure who for decades lacked a significant biography. This void has been ably and engagingly filled in this book by the dean of electric traction authors, William D. Middleton, and his son, William III.Summer 2010"—Classic Trains"This definitive, and long-awaited, biography of the 'Father of Electric Traction' details the life and times of an exceptional engineer, maverick innovator, entrepreneur, and businessman.August 2010"—NMRA Magazine"Anyone interested in American history, urban affairs, and related topics will find this book very interesting. 12/1/2009"—bookviewsbyalancaruba.blogsport.com"[By documenting] the life of the person generally considered one of the most significant leaders in the development of public transit . . . [this] is a welcome addition to the literature."—James H. Graebner, author of From Small Town to Downtown: A History of the Jewett Car Company

William D. Middleton is the author of more than 20 books and many hundreds of articles on rail transportation, engineering, and travel topics. He is editor (with George M. Smerk and Roberta L. Diehl) of Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).William D. Middleton III is a contributor to the Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).

• Foreword by John L. Sprague Acknowledgments1. A Boyhood in New England2. The Midshipman Inventor3. Sprague and the New World of Electricity4. Triumph at Richmond5. Sprague and the Electric Elevator6. Frank Sprague and the Multiple Unit Train7. Electrifying the Main Line Railroads8. The Naval Consulting Board and the Great War9. Sprague and Railroad Safety10. A Diverse Inventor11. An Inventor and Engineer to the End12. EpilogueAppendix A. Frank Julian Sprague PatentsAppendix B. Frank Julian Sprague Honors and AwardsAppendix C. Common Electrical TermsNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

"No one has previously used Sprague's personal papers in a published biography . . . Recommended.May 2010"—Choice"The authors weave this biography through time, with technological and political details that make Sprague human, a creative soul pressing his ideas with a sports-like outcome—some wins, some losses, and some ties. . . . I recommend this well-written book detailing the life of the 'Father of Electric Traction' to explain the development of what we so casually take for granted.April 2010"—Trains"Frank Sprague . . . is a major historical figure who for decades lacked a significant biography. This void has been ably and engagingly filled in this book by the dean of electric traction authors, William D. Middleton, and his son, William III.Summer 2010"—Classic Trains"This definitive, and long-awaited, biography of the 'Father of Electric Traction' details the life and times of an exceptional engineer, maverick innovator, entrepreneur, and businessman.August 2010"—NMRA Magazine"Anyone interested in American history, urban affairs, and related topics will find this book very interesting. 12/1/2009"—bookviewsbyalancaruba.blogsport.com"[By documenting] the life of the person generally considered one of the most significant leaders in the development of public transit . . . [this] is a welcome addition to the literature."—James H. Graebner, author of From Small Town to Downtown: A History of the Jewett Car Company

William D. Middleton is the author of more than 20 books and many hundreds of articles on rail transportation, engineering, and travel topics. He is editor (with George M. Smerk and Roberta L. Diehl) of Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).William D. Middleton III is a contributor to the Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (IUP, 2007).

• Foreword by John L. Sprague Acknowledgments1. A Boyhood in New England2. The Midshipman Inventor3. Sprague and the New World of Electricity4. Triumph at Richmond5. Sprague and the Electric Elevator6. Frank Sprague and the Multiple Unit Train7. Electrifying the Main Line Railroads8. The Naval Consulting Board and the Great War9. Sprague and Railroad Safety10. A Diverse Inventor11. An Inventor and Engineer to the End12. EpilogueAppendix A. Frank Julian Sprague PatentsAppendix B. Frank Julian Sprague Honors and AwardsAppendix C. Common Electrical TermsNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

"No one has previously used Sprague's personal papers in a published biography . . . Recommended.May 2010"—Choice"The authors weave this biography through time, with technological and political details that make Sprague human, a creative soul pressing his ideas with a sports-like outcome—some wins, some losses, and some ties. . . . I recommend this well-written book detailing the life of the 'Father of Electric Traction' to explain the development of what we so casually take for granted.April 2010"—Trains"Frank Sprague . . . is a major historical figure who for decades lacked a significant biography. This void has been ably and engagingly filled in this book by the dean of electric traction authors, William D. Middleton, and his son, William III.Summer 2010"—Classic Trains"This definitive, and long-awaited, biography of the 'Father of Electric Traction' details the life and times of an exceptional engineer, maverick innovator, entrepreneur, and businessman.August 2010"—NMRA Magazine"Anyone interested in American history, urban affairs, and related topics will find this book very interesting. 12/1/2009"—bookviewsbyalancaruba.blogsport.com"[By documenting] the life of the person generally considered one of the most significant leaders in the development of public transit . . . [this] is a welcome addition to the literature."—James H. Graebner, author of From Small Town to Downtown: A History of the Jewett Car Company