Thomas Balch was an American historian, best known for his work on the American Revolutionary War, originally written in French and later translated into English as The French in America during the War of Independence of the United States, 1777-1783. He was married to Emily Swift Balch of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Balch was a member of the Acorn Club of Philadelphia, and the Colonial Dames of America. Thomas Balch has been called the "father of international arbitration" for his work in popularizing this peaceful mechanism of international dispute resolution.