Homer E. Socolofsky (1922–2005) was professor emeritus of history at Kansas State University and a leading authority on Kansas history. His many publications include Arthur Capper: Publisher, Politician, Philanthropist and Landlord William Scully.Virgil W. Dean is an independent historian and consulting editor who was editor of the journal Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains for almost thirty years. A former historian for the Kansas State Historical Society, he is the author or editor of four books, including John Brown to Bob Dole: Movers and Shakers in Kansas History.