Ben Lucien Burman wrote more than 20 books including several about the Mississippi River including the beloved "Steamboat 'Round the Bend" which was adapted into a movie and featured a performance by Will Rogers. 

Captain John Streckfus was one of the first people to build a steamboat business focused on excursions, sightseeing, and dance music.

Peter Sprague was one of the most prolific boat builders of the 19th century. The boat he built that carried his name was perhaps the most famous towboat of the 20th century.

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Geologist, teacher, Civil War veteran, explorer, ethnologist, and author. Highlights of the remarkable life of John Wesley Powell.

Some river aficionados might recognize Emerson W. Gould as a 19th century river historian, but few realize that he had an active river career as well. In 1848 Gould was one of the five organizers of the Naples Packet Co. and in 1853 he advocated iron hulls for boats, preceding both William Hopkins and James Eads.

One of the handful of early female Captains, she grew to be legendary. This episode highlights the amazing life and career of Captain Mary Becker Greene.

Captain Mary ended her career aboard the infamous "Delta Queen" steamboat. For more information about RiverHistory.com's fascinating audiobook about that boat's incredible career, CLICK HERE.

Twenty years before Robert Fulton debuted his successful steamboat, James Rumsey unveiled his revolutionary "jet" propelled steamboat in 1787.

In this episode we highlight the leader of the 1832 expedition to the locate the source of the Mississippi River: Henry Rowe Schoolcraft.

This episode highlights the career of artist and engineer Henry Bosse who captured on glass plate negatives a dramatic transformation of the Mississippi River.

In this episode we highlight the founder of the family business that has grown to be a leader in river shipping: Orrin Ingram and the Ingram Family