William Campbell Gault

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1910, William Campbell Gault built a long writing career that stretched from the pulp-magazine era into later paperback crime fiction. He wrote under his own name as well as pseudonyms including Roney Scott and Will Duke, and his papers are held in a collection focused on his work as a crime and young adult novelist.

He is especially remembered for two sides of his work: hard-boiled mysteries and sports stories for younger readers. His first novel, Don't Cry for Me, won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and he later received major recognition from the Private Eye Writers of America, including a lifetime achievement honor.

Gault also created enduring series characters such as private detectives Joe Puma and Brock Callahan. He died in Santa Barbara, California, in 1995, leaving behind a body of work that still appeals to readers who like lean, lively storytelling.