Francis Peabody Magoun

American flying ace and academic

Francis Peabody Magoun, Jr.MC (6 January 1895 – 5 June 1979) was one of the seminal figures in the study of medieval and English literature in the 20th century, a scholar of subjects as varied as soccer and ancient Germanic naming practices, and translator of numerous important texts.

Though an American, he served in the British Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force) as a lieutenant during World War I.

Magoun was victor in five aerial combats and was also decorated with Britain's Military Cross for gallantry.