Elbert E. Farman was a diplomat, jurist and author of two works, Along the Nile and Egypt and its Betrayal. The works were highlight influenced by Farman's perspective as the United States Ambassador to Egypt, where he served from 1876-81. During this time, he traveled with Ulysses S. Grant and his family after Grant had finished their time in the White House. Farman showed them around Egypt, visiting Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile. In Betrayal, Farman sharply criticizes the many labor, architectural and financial issues that the English occupation had caused in Egypt.