Authors
Red Cloud and the Indian Trader was co-authored by Marilyn Dear Nelson and her husband, Chris. Red Cloud’s life has been well documented, but JW’s story has never been told. The authors have pieced together his life using new material unearthed in archive centers and press reports, and from previously unseen family diaries, letters, and stereoscopic images.
MARILYN DEAR NELSON was born in California and moved with her military family to army posts and embassies around the US, South America, and Europe. Her career took her to Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Hong Kong, where she met Chris. Marilyn grew up with stories, artifacts, and stereotype images from her great-grandfather's life during the Civil War and in the Wild West. When she and Chris retired to London, they researched his extraordinary life and translated Marilyn’s hazy recollections into reality.
CHRIS NELSON was born in London, but most of his career was spent overseas, first in Hong Kong and then in the Middle East, where he was the CEO of multinational corporations. He has always been fascinated by American history and the West, and Marilyn's connections provided the perfect project for them to pursue their interests.
