Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard (1925–2013) was an American novelist and screenwriter celebrated for his crisp, dialogue-driven crime fiction and Westerns. Born in New Orleans and raised in Detroit, he began publishing Western short stories in the 1950s before turning increasingly to contemporary crime novels. His books are known for their sharp ear for speech, understated humor, and vividly drawn criminals and lawmen. Among his best-known novels are *Get Shorty* (1990) and *Rum Punch* (1992). Leonard also wrote screenplays, including the film *3:10 to Yuma* (1957), adapted from his short story. He received the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.