Born in 1872, Zane Grey's early life was marked by a passion for history, fishing, and writing, despite a difficult relationship with his father. He pursued dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania but ultimately yearned to be a writer. After initial struggles, his first Western, The Heritage of the Desert, became a bestseller, followed by his iconic Riders of the Purple Sage. Grey's writing themes often revolved around Manifest Destiny and the Old West. His career flourished alongside Hollywood, and he remained popular even during the Great Depression until his death in 1939.
