1944 – present
Tom D. Crouch is a renowned aviation author, museum curator,
and aeronautics historian. His study of Dayton’s Orville and Wilbur Wright called The Bishop’s Boys is often cited as the definitive work on these aviation pioneers. Dr. Crouch has written 16 major books
on various aspects of aviation history as well as approximately
100 articles in magazines and journals worldwide. In addition to
his work as an author and historian, he serves as Senior Curator
of the Division of Aeronautics at the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian where he has curated many important exhibitions including “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution,” still in place at the National Museum of American History. His preeminence in his field has been recognized with numerous awards, including a presidential appointment as Chairman of the First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board. This prize-winning author, respected historian, and accomplished curator has helped focus the attention of the world on the whole history of aviation, but especially its roots in his native Dayton.