Bernard De Voto

Bernard DeVoto (1897–1955) was an American historian, author, and literary critic noted for his influential writing on the American West. Born in Ogden, Utah, he became a prominent man of letters through essays, criticism, and narrative history. DeVoto wrote major works on western exploration and expansion, including *The Year of Decision: 1846* and *Across the Wide Missouri*. He also played an important role in Mark Twain scholarship, editing Twain’s papers and helping shape modern understanding of Twain’s work. DeVoto’s energetic style and strong opinions made him a widely read voice in mid‑20th‑century American cultural life.