Born in 1861, Frederic Remington grew to become considered as one of the most important painters and premier illustrators of his time. Formally trained at the Yale School of Art and at the Art Students' League, he headed West due to health reasons. Although he was primarily an illustrator, working for many magazines such as Harper's Weekly and Outing, he also painted over three thousand paintings. Technically accurate and also sensational, he represented scenes of cowboys, gunfighters, gamblers, saloons and all the paraphernalia of the Hollywood Western. Through his paintings Remington also depicted the Indians describing their appearances, customs and ways of life. Crooked Trails is one of a number of books in which Remington wrote stories of the West enhanced with dozens of his illustrations.