Franklin Brewster Folsom (21 July 1907 – 30 April 1995) was an American writer of popular books, many for children and young people, on archaeology, anthropology, and other subjects – he had over 80 titles published both under his own name and various pseudonyms – and a pro-Soviet political activist.
[1] After graduation, he dedicated himself to a career as a professional writer, and began publishing books on history and archaeology (some of which were co-authored by his wife, Mary Elting Folsom).
[2] His interest in the rights of Native and Black Americans led to his extensive involvement in radical leftist organizations in the US.
He was one of the founding members of the League of American Writers, and served as its executive secretary from 1937 to 1943, following the resignation of Waldo Frank, who had expressed doubts about Stalin's show trials in Moscow.
During the McCarthyism campaign he published his books under various pseudonyms: Benjamin Brewster, Chase Elwell, Michael Gorham, Lyman Hopkins, Horatio D. Jones, Troy Nesbit, and Philip Stander.