Image of William MacLeod Raine

Timeline

Lifetime: 1871 - 1954 Passed: ≈ 69 years ago

Title

British-American novelist

Country/Nationality

United States, United Kingdom
Wikipedia

William MacLeod Raine

William MacLeod Raine (1871-1954) was a British-born American novelist who wrote romantic histories set in the English countryside, and adventure stories about the American Old West, for which he is best remembered.

Who he was and his principles

Raine was born in London, England, in 1871. He emigrated to the United States with his family when he was ten years old, and they settled in Arkansas. Raine attended Oberlin College in Ohio, and after graduating he worked as a journalist in Denver, Colorado.

Raine was a staunch defender of the American West, and he believed that it was a place of rugged individualism and adventure. His novels often featured strong-willed heroes who fought for justice and freedom.

What he was famous for and his notable works

Raine is best known for his Western novels, which include The Sheriff of Sundown (1912), Gunsmoke (1918), and The Brand (1925). His novels were praised for their fast-paced action and their realistic portrayal of the American West.

Raine also wrote several historical novels, including The Viking (1911) and The Highgrader (1923). His historical novels were praised for their accurate portrayal of historical events and their vivid characters.

His philosophy

Raine's philosophy was based on the belief in the American Dream. He believed that anyone could achieve success in America, if they were willing to work hard and fight for what they believed in.

When did he die and how is he remembered?

Raine died in 1954 at the age of 83. He is remembered today as one of the most popular Western writers of the early 20th century. His novels continue to be read and enjoyed by fans of Western fiction.

Interesting facts

  • Raine was a skilled horseman and marksman, and he often used his own experiences in the West as inspiration for his novels.
  • He was a close friend of the Western writer Zane Grey.
  • He was a member of the Western Writers of America, and he served as the organization's president from 1938 to 1940.

Conclusion

William MacLeod Raine was a talented writer who left a lasting legacy. His novels continue to be read and enjoyed by fans of Western fiction, and they provide a valuable glimpse into the American West of the early 20th century.

Books by William MacLeod Raine

Wyoming: A Story of the Outdoor West Cover image

Wyoming: A Story of the Outdoor West

Action Fiction Novel
Adventure Thriller Historical Fiction Courage Integrity Wilderness Classic Literature Romantic Adventure

Step into the untamed wilds of Wyoming, where the clash of ambition and the echoes of the frontier reverberate through the rugged landscapes, in "Wyoming: A Story of the Outdoor West" by William MacLeod Raine. In this gripping Western tale, William M...

Gunsight Pass: How Oil Came to the Cattle Country and Brought a New West Cover image

Gunsight Pass: How Oil Came to the Cattle Country and Brought a New West

Fiction Novel
Spirit Treasure Tradition Struggle Narrative Journey Ambition Mysterious

In the heart of the untamed West, where legends were born and fortunes were won or lost in a single draw of the six-shooter, lies Gunsight Pass—a place where cattle once roamed and gunsmoke painted the horizon. But beneath the dusty trails and the sh...

Yukon Trail Cover image

Yukon Trail

The Yukon Trail: A Tale of the North (filmed as The Grip of the Yukon in 1928) is an adventure yarn from the prodigious output of William MacLeod Raine, who averaged nearly two western novels a year for some 46 years. Twenty of his novels have been f...

Tangled Trails Cover image

Tangled Trails

The aptly titled "Tangled Trails, A Western Detective Story" takes the listener through a web of curious incidents revolving around the murder of a prominent man in Denver. Kirby Lane was quite obviously the guilty party in the murder of his uncle. L...