Hiram Bingham

About the Author

Hiram Bingham (1875-1956) was an American academic, explorer, and politician whose adventurous spirit and scholarly pursuits forever changed our understanding of ancient civilizations. Born in Hawaii to missionary parents, Bingham pursued a career in history and archaeology, leading expeditions that uncovered the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru in 1911. His discovery of this 'lost city of the Incas' ignited global fascination with pre-Columbian history, blending rigorous fieldwork with vivid narrative prose. Beyond exploration, Bingham served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut and authored influential works that popularized archaeology for lay audiences, inspiring generations to delve into the mysteries of the past.