Ernest Haycox was an American writer of Western fiction. Born on October 1, 1899, in Portland, Oregon, he grew a dedicated following through his prolific career that spanned from the 1920s until his untimely death in 1950. Haycox was a master of the Western genre, blending historical authenticity with compelling narrative and vivid characters. His work, including 'The Wild Bunch,' reflects his skill at creating stories that resonate with excitement, romance, and the complex morality of the American frontier. He has been credited with helping to elevate Western fiction from pulp to a more serious literary form, influencing later writers in the genre. Haycox's novels were known for their rich details and careful research, with 'The Wild Bunch' providing readers with a robust, picturesque tableau of frontier life. In addition to his novels, Haycox wrote numerous short stories for popular magazines, further cementing his reputation as a central figure in Western literature. His dynamic writing style captured the imagination of readers and often portrayed the West as a place of conflict, change, and opportunity. His contribution to the genre was significant, and his legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of his works and their adaptations in films and television. Critics and scholars often reference Haycox when discussing the development of the Western novel as a key component of American literary tradition.