Hank Parkhurst

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.