An author known for his many (120 to be specific) western novels. Some of his novels include Hondo, Man From The Broken Hills, and The Walking Drum. He worked many jobs, including seaman,
lumberjack, elephant handler, skinner of dead cattle, miner, and officer in the
transportation corps. He was the first novelist to ever receive the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S congress. He was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by
President Reagan. He died on June 10, 1988.