Walter Noble Burns was an American writer of Western history active during the early twentieth century. Born in 1866, Burns focused his literary career on the lives of famous figures from the American frontier. Through his detailed and engaging narratives, he became a key figure in transforming historical frontier personalities into legendary characters of American folklore.
Burns is best known for his 1926 best-selling book, The Saga of Billy the Kid, which was instrumental in creating the modern legend and perpetuating the enduring fame of the infamous outlaw. In addition to his work on Billy the Kid, Burns wrote influential books centering on other major Western figures, such as the lawman Wyatt Earp and the legendary California bandit Joaquin Murietta. His contributions to Western history and folklore earned him significant recognition, with biographer Dworkin later describing Burns as "America's premier romantic outlaw lawman mythmaker" for his unique role in shaping the nation's frontier mythology.
