George Croghan (1720-1782) was instrumental in negotiating Native American treaties that resulted in several tribes switching allegiances from the French to the British during the French and Indian War and the 1763 Anglo-Indian War fought on the North American continent.

In his extensive travels in the wilderness areas of pre-Revolutionary War America, Croghan became adept in Native American customs and, in more than one case, languages. These skills prompted the British occupational forces to enlist him to negotiate with several tribes to be more friendly toward the French. On one occasion, Croghan was held hostage by Native Americans, but otherwise he moved freely throughout the areas of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In addition to serving as an appointed British official in the areas west of the Appalachian Mountains, Croghan was also a fur trapper and land speculator intent on capitalizing on Western expansionism by white settlers. His official...