Hiram Bingham was an American academic, explorer, and politician best known for bringing international attention to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru. In 1911, he led an expedition that rediscovered the site, which had been largely forgotten by the outside world, and his findings helped to spark interest in Incan history and culture. Bingham's work as an explorer and his subsequent writings contributed significantly to the field of archaeology. He served as a professor at Yale University and was also involved in politics, serving as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. His legacy continues to influence both archaeology and tourism in Peru.