FAMOUS AUTHOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 10

FAMOUS AUTHOR

DEATH OF ZANE GREY BIG-GAME FISHERMAN SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23 The world-famous author, traveller and fisherman Mr. Zane Grey died at Altadena, California, to-day as the result of a heart attack. Born at Zanesville, Ohio, in January, 1875, Mr. Zane Grey was educated at the local school and the University of Pennsylvania, where he qualified in 1896 as a dental surgeon and a licentiate in medicine. After six years' practice in New York he produced his first book, "Betty Zane/' in 1904, and then forsook his profession for writing. Given to travelling in the undeveloped parts of the United States, lie produced a series of vivid stories of life as be glimpsed it in the wilds, among them being "Riders of the Purple Sage" and "Heritage of the Desert." Apart from his fame as an author Mr. Grey was well known in New Zealand for his big-game fishing exploits in New Zealand <jind Australian waters. An expert in all branches of fishing, bo wrote a number of books on the subject. "Tales of the Angler's Eldorado" was oue of them. It dealt with conditions around the New Zealand cipast and on the rivers, which he praised in no mean terms. Other books inspired by his love for travel and sport were "Tales of Fishing Virgin Seas" and "Tales of Swordfisb and Tuna." Several of Mr. Grey's Western novels were made into films, _and he built up a considerable connection with the film industry both in the United States and in Australia. He appeared in a number of pictures and was technical adviser in the making of others. Tn 1933 lie combined all his interests mi a corporation under the title, Zane r irev, Incorporated, the shareholders Viiig Mr. Grey himself, his wife and ■heir son. Mr. Grey's last fishing expedition vas to the coast of South Australia >arly this year, and it was his exiressed intention to return in his own /aclit in 19J0 or 1941.