Francis Osborn Braynard was a renowned American maritime historian and author. A graduate of Duke University and Columbia University, he co-founded the first Operation Sail (OpSail) event in 1964, celebrating tall ships in New York Harbor. He was the chief organizer of OpSail 76 for America's bicentennial and played a key role in creating New York's South Street Seaport. Braynard also served as curator at the American Merchant Marine Museum.
