Eliott Secrest is a historian, genealogist, and author from Salisbury, North Carolina, with a deep love for early American history. He specializes in bringing colonial America to life through richly detailed historical fiction. Growing up in Rowan County, Eliott developed a lifelong passion for uncovering the stories of the everyday men and women whose courage and resilience shaped America’s fight for independence.

In his debut book, Patriot Colonel: The Life & Times of Francis Locke, Secrest, a descendant of Colonel Francis Locke himself, presents a richly researched and engaging portrait of one of America’s most overlooked Revolutionary leaders, drawing on archival records, legal documents, and period sources to craft a historically grounded, vividly told narrative. Blending biography and historical fiction, Patriot Colonel: The Life & Times of Francis Locke immerses readers in the world of colonial America and the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War—a compelling journey for history enthusiasts, genealogists, and lovers of finely woven historical storytelling.