William Lewis Manly was an American pioneer, prospector, and author of the mid-nineteenth century. Born in 1820, Manly spent much of his early life engaging in the rugged pursuits of the American frontier. Over the course of his diverse career, he worked as a fur hunter, a wagon train guide, and a gold prospector, directly participating in the historic expansion into the Far West. He eventually transitioned to a quieter life as a farmer and writer in his later years.
As a writer, Manly dedicated himself to documenting his extensive frontier experiences. His primary contribution to American literature is his autobiography, which vividly details the pioneer experience in the Far West and the historic 1848 California Gold Rush. First published under the title From Vermont to California, the work was later released in a second edition titled Death Valley in '49, securing his legacy as an essential chronicler of early California history.
