David Herbert Donald (1920-2009) was an American historian and author, especially renowned for his expertise on Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War. A two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, Donald taught at several universities, including Harvard, where he was the Charles Warren Professor of American History. His writing is noted for its clear narration, deep research, and insightful analysis into American historical figures and events. His most famous work, "Lincoln," is considered one of the most authoritative and comprehensive biographies of the 16th president of the United States. Donald's scholarship was distinguished by its balanced approach to historical figures, avoiding both hagiography and undue criticism.