Marshall Trimble is considered the "Dean of Arizona Historians" and has taught Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College for 40 years. His first book was published in 1977 by Doubleday & Company, New York. Since then he's written more than twenty books on Arizona and the West. Trimble is one of the state's most popular speakers and performers. He's also an educator, lecturer, folk singer and stage performer.
This multi-talented historian has been called the "Will Rogers of Arizona." He can deliver anything from a serious history lecture to a stage concert of Western folk music and stories with his guitar. Trimble appears frequently on radio and television as a goodwill ambassador for the state. For several years "Trimble's Tales" were heard on radio stations around the state. He answers questions about the Old West from readers all over the world in True West Magazine's popular column, "Ask the Marshall." Trimble has received many honors both as a historian, writer and performer. In 1997, the governor of Arizona appointed him Official State Historian. In 2000, he was selected as one of Arizona's representatives in the Library of Congress' "Local Legacies." Two years later he received the first "Copper Star Award" from the State Society of Arizona in Washington D.C. In 2003 he received the Scottsdale Jaycees "Distinguished Service Award," That same year he was named a Charter Member of the Arizona Culturekeepers. In 2004, the Daughters of the American Revolution awarded him their "Medal of Honor" for leadership and patriotism. He was also inducted into the Scottsdale Hall of Fame and the Arizona Veteran's Hall of Fame.
He is a former U.S. Marine. In 2006, he received a regional Emmy for hosting the television show, "Arizona Backroads." In 2007, the Arizona Office of Tourism honored him with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his many years of service to his native state. In 2008 he was the recipient of the first "Spirit of the West" award. He is a charter board member of the National Wild West History Association and in 2010 he received the Wild West History Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was inducted into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in February 2011. In March, Marshall was the Grand Marshal in the Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Parade. That same year the Arizona Historical Society presented him their distinguished Al Merito Award in recognition of his lifetime service in promoting Arizona history. The Arizona Centennial Commission honored him in December 2011 as "One of Arizona's Most Inspiring Leaders."
In preparation for the state's 100th Anniversary, he was appointed by the governor to the Arizona Centennial Commission. He was also a member of the Governor's Commission in 1987 celebrating the state's 75th Anniversary. Trimble has served 25 years as a charter member of the Arizona Peace Officer Memorial Board honoring officers who died in the line of duty. He is an honorary Major in the Arizona Air National Guard and a sworn deputy sheriff in Cochise County. Marshall was born in Mesa, Arizona and grew up in Ash Fork, a small railroad town along old Route 66. He makes his home in Scottsdale.
Marshall's Books:
Wyatt Earp: The Showdown in Tombstone. American Traveler Publishers, 2008
A Roadside History of Arizona. Mountain Press, 2004
Arizona A Cavalcade of History. Rio Nuevo Publishing, 2003
Arizona Trilogy - An Arizona Trilogy. American Traveler
Ash Fork - "Images of America" Series. Arcadia Publishing
