Author Name:
Richard D. Templeton
Book Title:
Across the Creek: Black Powder Explosions on the Brandywine
Website URL:
Link to book page on Amazon:
What is your book about?
Across the Creek tells the tragic stories of the 232 men, 2 women and 1 child who perished in gunpowder explosions at the very first du Pont factory in the United States.
What inspired you to write your book?
There are many books available about the powder-factory owning du Ponts but few that tell the tragic stories of the workers who toiled to create the du Pont empire. I wanted to tell their stories.
What is a typical day like for you?
Research, research, writing, research!
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Learning about 19th century blue-collar workers and their trials and successes.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
“Spinning the Globe,” about the Harlem Globetrotters; “Seabiscuit,” about the racehorse.
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
When you get stuck, write a letter to someone you love.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I collect my surname. That is, books by Templeton, those with ‘Templeton” in the title, tsotchkes with the name on them, etc.
What’s next for you?
Finding and writing more books about the men and women who built the du Pont empire who are NOT du pants.
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