Speaker Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson is a former legislator, college professor, maritime academy administrator, and Great Lakes sailor. In his spare time, he has authored four highly-acclaimed books about Great Lakes shipping, including Steamboats and Sailors of the Great Lakes, Queen of the Lakes, A Sailor's Logbook, and Graveyard of the Lakes. He is currently curator of the Presque Isle County Historical Museum in Rogers City, Michigan, and adjunct curator of exhibits at Besser Museum in Alpena. Mark does PowerPoint slide shows on various aspects of Great Lakes shipping, including The History of Ships on the Lakes, The Great Lakes Bulk Freighter, The Thousand Footers, Great Lakes Sailors, Loading & Unloading Cargo, and Today's Great Lakes Ships. His popular programs have been enjoyed by hundreds of boat lovers and history buffs throughout the Great Lakes region. He also does a day-long workshop on "Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction Books."

Mark Thompson
Speaker