Owen Wister Biography

Fast Facts

• Was a classmate with President Theodore Roosevelt during his time at Harvard University
• Began writing novels in 1891 with "The Dragon of Wantley: His Tale" becoming his first novel a year later
• Has been recognized by many as the founder of western fiction
• Is most recognized for his 1902 novel "The Virginian," the story of a cowboy aristocrat, which has been turned into a number of film and a TV series
• Dedicated his novel "The Virginian" to Theodore Roosevelt and wrote it in the library of The Philadelphia Club
• The University of Wyoming named their annual art and literature journal after him due to the setting of his novel "The Virginian․"
• Was a member of the Board of Overseers at Harvard University
• Has an 11,490-foot mountain named after him at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming