Hank Parkhurst

Henry G. "Hank" Parkhurst
Born(1895-03-13)March 13, 1895
Marion, Iowa, U.S.
Died1954 (aged 58–59)
OccupationsBusinessman; publishing organizer
Known forEarly member of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York; co-founder of Works Publishing; author of Big Book chapter "To Employers"

Henry Giffen "Hank" Parkhurst (March 13, 1895 – January 18, 1954) was an executive and one of the early architects of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Parkhurst worked for Standard Oil as an executive before losing his job as a result of alcoholism. He became an early member of AA in New York and went on to co-founded the publishing company, Works Publishing, that produced the first edition of the AA bible The Big Book in 1939. Parkhurst played a major role in organizing the publication, fundraising, and early promotion of the book. He also authored a chapter of, and his own story as an anecdote in, the book. Parkhurst struggled with his sobriety and would later relapse and leave AA. However, he was a key although often overlooked figure, in the creation and success of the organisation.

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