Author Name:
Louis L'Amour
Louis L’Amour was born on March 22, 1908. He is the much-loved author of over 100 works. He is best known for his Western fiction novels but has also written historical fiction, science fiction, nonfiction, poetry and short stories.
He was born in Jamestown, North Dakota where he played “Cowboys and Indians” in the family barn and spent a great deal of time in the library. He traveled all over the West and the world. He met many colorful characters that later became inspirations for his novels. He started writing and eventually his stories appeared in pulp magazines.
He continued to travel the world as a merchant seaman and as a transport officer during World War II. He continued to work as a writer during this time. In the 1950s he began selling novels. Several of his novels have been made into films including Hondo, Conagher, and the Shadow Riders.
President Ronald Reagan presented L’Amour with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.
He died in 1988 of lung cancer.