Maury Thompson has been quoted in The New York Times as an expert on the Glens Falls economy, in ELLE magazine as an expert on regional politics, and on the British sweater fashion blog Celtic-sheepskin as an expert on the luxurious feel of cashmere.
Thompson is best known locally from his 21 years as a reporter with The Post-Star, covering local government, politics, business, health care finance and Adirondack issues, among other topics.
He retired from The Post-Star in 2017 to launch an “encore career” as a freelance writer, lecturer and documentary film producer specializing in regional history – with an emphasis on politics, labor and media.
He is a regular contributor to Glens Falls Living, The Post-Star, Hill Country Observer, Lake George Mirror and New York Almanack.
He is collaborating with Snarky Aardvark Films of Queensbury to produce “My Native Air,” a documentary about Glens Falls native Charles Evans Hughes and the Adirondacks.
The world premier is scheduled for late September at Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls.
Thompson has been researching, writing and lecturing about Charles Evans Hughes since 2008, when he purchased the 1948 book “Politics in The Empire State” by Warren Moscow at a Friends of Crandall Public Library book sale.
Thompson was co-curator of the Charles Evans Hughes exhibit in 2016 at The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library.
His latest book, “The Animated Feather Duster: Slow News Day Tales of the Legendary Facial Hair of Charles Evans Hughes,” was released in 2018.
The book chronicles the fixation of reporters and others on Hughes’ whiskers throughout the Glens Falls native’s distinguished career as a lawyer, New York governor, 1916 presidential candidate, U.S. Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the United States.
Thompson also wrote “The Biggest Kid at the Balloon Festival: The Walter Grishkot Story,” published in 2011, about the life of local photographer, political consultant and publicist Walter Grishkot, co-founder of the Adirondack Balloon Festival.
Both books can be purchased at the Chapman Historical Museum in Glens Falls, and at other area retailers.
He currently is researching and writing “AM Adirondacks,” about early radio stations in the region.
A fall 2020 release is expected.
Thompson, a native of suburban Pittsburgh, graduated Hempfield Senior High School in 1976.
He spent about a decade working in restaurant, hotel and commission sales before enrolling in college.
He graduated Middlebury College with a bachelor of arts degree in 1992.
He lives in Ticonderoga with his wife, Debbie, where they are close to his three children and 12 grandchildren.