Don Coldsmith

Don Coldsmith was an American author of primarily Western Fiction. A past president of Western Writers of America, Coldsmith wrote more than 40 books, as well as and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. His “Spanish Bit Saga,” a series of related novels, helped to re-define the Western novel by adopting the point of view of the Native Americans, rather than the European immigrants.

In addition to his career as a writer, Coldsmith was a medical doctor in Emporia, until 1988, when he chose to concentrate on writing. In addition, Coldsmith and his wife Edna were catttle ranchers and breeders of Appaloose horses.

Coldsmith attended high school Coffeyville and joined the U.S. Army in 1944. His role in the Pacific Theater of World War II led him to Japan, where he was among the first occupying troops. He was assigned to provide medical care for Japanese war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, the prime minister.

Coldsmith periodically taught history classes at Emporia State University. He was awarded the Golden Spur award for best original paperback for The Changing Wind of 1990. Other honors include Distinguished Kansan (awarded by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas in 1993) and the Edgar Wolfe Award for lifetime contributions to literature (1995). Coldsmith was in high demand as a speaker, especially when the subject was the High Plains and the American West.

Coldsmith died on June 25, 2009 after a stroke.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The library has a display of Western books by Don Coldsmith and other western authors.

Let me know which of the western authors you like best.