Vaughan Kester

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1869, Vaughan Kester was an American novelist and journalist. He worked in New York publishing and periodicals, and his writing was shaped in part by his travels through the western and southern United States.

Kester wrote several novels, but he is especially remembered for The Prodigal Judge, a historical adventure that became a notable success. He was also the elder brother of playwright and author Paul Kester, and sources note the influence of the literary world around him, including family ties to William Dean Howells.

He died in Virginia on July 4, 1911, at just 41 years old. Even with a relatively brief career, his mix of journalism, travel experience, and storytelling helped him build a lasting place in American popular fiction.