Leonard E. Opydycke (May 22, 1929 – February 23, 2023) was an American historian, editor, and author, who specialized in pre-WWII aviation history.[1]

Leonard E. Opdycke
Born
Leonard Emerson Opdycke

(1929-05-22)22 May 1929
Died23 February 2023(2023-02-23) (aged 93)
Alma materUniversity of Rochester

Biography

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Leonard Emerson Opdycke was born in Boston, Massasscusetts in 1929. His education included earning an undergraduate degree in English, in 1951 from Harvard College, and in 1965 a Master's degree in Psycholinguistics from the University of Rochester.[1]

He is best known for being the founding editor of two magazines dealing with early aviation;

  • World War 1 Aeroplanes, established in 1961, focused on aviation covering the period up to the end of World War I.[2]
  • Skyways, established in 1987, covered aviation between the years 1920 and 1940.[2]

In 1999, Opdycke's book French Aeroplanes Before the Great War was published. This was the result of more than 15 years of research, initially with Michel Bénichou, editor of Le Fana de l'aviation [fr], but then as an individual endeavor.[3]

Publications

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  • — (1999). French Aeroplanes Before the Great War. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military. ISBN 9780764307522.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Leonard E. "Leo" Opdycke". William G Miller & Son Funeral Home. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Leonard E. Opdycke". National Air and Space Museum - Wall of Honor. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Opdycke, Leonard E. (1999). French Aeroplanes Before the Great War. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military. p. 4. ISBN 9780764307522.
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