William Henry Meadowcroft (1853–1937) was an English-born author and administrator who is best remembered for his close professional association with the American inventor Thomas Edison. Born in Manchester, England, Meadowcroft eventually relocated to the United States, where he spent a significant portion of his life. He served as Edison's personal secretary, a role that placed him at the center of some of the most important technological developments of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
In addition to his administrative duties, Meadowcroft was an active writer who sought to demystify the rapid scientific advancements of his time for a general audience. His most prominent work, The A B C of Electricity, published in 1888, offered readers an accessible and clear introduction to the principles of electrical science. Through this and other writings, Meadowcroft helped popularize the understanding of electricity during an era when it was beginning to transform daily life and industry. He passed away in Boonton, New Jersey, in 1937, leaving behind a legacy tied to the golden age of American innovation.
