William R. Forstchen is an American historian and author, born on October 11, 1950. He is a Professor of History and Faculty Fellow at Montreat College, located in Montreat, North Carolina. Dr. Forstchen received his doctorate from Purdue University.

He has published numerous popular novels and non-fiction works, particularly focusing on military and alternative history, thrillers, and speculative events. Among his works are three alternate history novels of the Civil War co-written with politician Newt Gingrich, with two also having the participation of writer Albert S. Hanser. Additionally, these authors have written three novels about General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.

Forstchen began publishing in 1983 with the novel Ice Prophet. He is the author of more than forty books, including the award-winning We Look Like Men of War, a young adult novel about an African-American regiment that fought at the Battle of the Crater, which is based upon his doctoral dissertation, The 28th USCTs: Indiana’s African-Americans go to War, 1863-1865. His "Lost Regiment" series has been optioned by both Tom Cruise and M. Night Shyamalan.