Picture a Colorado cowboy with a typewriter, spinning tales of gunfighters and dusty trails—meet Lewis B. Patten! Born in Denver in 1915, this prolific Western novelist penned over 100 novels, capturing the raw spirit of the American frontier. From his bestseller Five Rode West to the gritty Death of a Gunfighter, Patten’s stories galloped into readers’ hearts, earning him awards and a lasting legacy in Western fiction.
The Making of Lewis B. Patten
Lewis Byford Patten grew up in Denver, where the rugged Rockies likely sparked his love for the West. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he studied accounting at the University of Denver, landing a steady job as an auditor. But the call of the frontier was stronger than ledgers. In 1944, Patten traded city life for ranching in Colorado, immersing himself in the landscapes he’d later immortalize. By 1949, he teamed up with fellow writer Wayne D. Overholser, kicking off his writing career with co-authored novels like The Meeker Massacre.
Lewis B. Patten’s Unforgettable Stories
Patten’s novels are like a dusty saloon brawl—fast, tough, and unforgettable. Writing under pseudonyms like Lewis Ford and Joseph Wayne, he churned out over 110 novels and three short story collections, mostly Westerns. His 1955 hit Five Rode West sold over two million copies, following a band of outlaws on a high-stakes journey. Death of a Gunfighter (1969), a tense tale of a marshal facing a town’s wrath, became a film starring Richard Widmark. The Red Sabbath (1968), a Spur Award winner, dives into the drama of Custer’s battles, showcasing Patten’s knack for historical grit. His style? Crisp prose, flawed heroes, and moral showdowns that echo the untamed West.
Patten’s themes often wrestled with justice and survival. In The Tired Gun, a grieving gunfighter returns home to face a vengeful rancher, blending suspense with raw emotion. His collaboration with Overholser, like Showdown at Stony Crest, added depth to his tales, mixing rugged action with complex characters. Patten’s stories didn’t just entertain—they painted the West as a place of hard choices and harder consequences.
Why Lewis B. Patten Matters
Patten’s impact on Western fiction is as enduring as a desert sunset. His 1979 Golden Saddleman Award and multiple Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America honor his role in keeping the genre alive. Though only a few films, like Red Sundown (1956) and Death of a Gunfighter, adapted his work, they brought his gritty vision to the screen. Patten’s real legacy lies in his ability to make readers feel the dust and danger of the frontier, inspiring modern Western writers to pick up the torch.
- Born: January 13, 1915, Denver, Colorado
- Key Works: Five Rode West, Death of a Gunfighter, The Red Sabbath
- Awards: 1979 Golden Saddleman Award, multiple Spur Awards
- Died: May 22, 1981, Denver, Colorado
Grab Five Rode West or Death of a Gunfighter and saddle up for Patten’s thrilling West—your inner cowboy will thank you!