Bret Harte (1836–1902) was an American author and poet best known for his short stories about the California Gold Rush. Born in Albany, New York, he moved to California in 1853, where his experiences in the frontier towns deeply influenced his writing. Harte rose to fame with “The Luck of Roaring Camp” (1868) and became a prominent voice in the new Western literary tradition. His stories, rich with regional dialect and colorful characters, helped shape the genre of American local color writing.

A Few Fun Facts:

▪ Harte worked as a schoolteacher, journalist, and even a miner before becoming a full-time writer.
▪ He was appointed U.S. Consul in Germany and Scotland, thanks to his literary fame.
▪ He published his first poem at age 11—about the mistreatment of Native Americans.