William Henry Koebel (1872–1923) was an English author and businessman. He is best remembered today for his books on trade and travel within Portugal[1] (and Madeira),[2] the Caribbean, Central America and South America.[3] His books continue to be studied today by academics.[4]
Koebel was born in Forest Hill, London, England. Having focused on Portugal in his earlier years as a writer, painting a detailed and colourful portrait of the country in its final months under a monarchy, he travelled the Caribbean, Central and South America. He worked to expand British trade in the regions, most successfully in Chile and especially the port of Valparaiso which was a major British trading port before the construction of the Panama Canal.[5] His most successful and influential book is the South American Handbook, which was first published in 1921 and continues to be edited and reprinted as recently as 2014.[5][needs update?]