William Ratigan

Who is William Ratigan?

William Ratigan was a Michigan based author who is best known for his book entitled Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals. His other books include Straits of Mackinac!, Young Mr. Big, Hiawatha and America's Mightiest Mile, The Long Crossing, The Adventures of Captain McCargo and Soo Canal! Most of Ratigan's books were published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan with the exception of The Adventures of Captain McCargo published by Random House.

Ratigan made his home in Charlevoix, Michigan where he operated a small used bookstore in a fish shanty called The Dockside Press. In his latter years, he would spend winters in Dunedin, Florida. Ratigan graduated from the University of Chattanooga in 1935 and was published shortly thereafter. In 1963, he received his Ph.D from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. During World War II, Ratigan was employed by The National Broadcasting Company and was named best all-around newsman in the world by Radio Life Magazine. Ratigan's home in Charlevoix was located at 223 Park Avenue, which was known as "Main Street" during the first part of the 20th century.