American author Zane Grey was professionally a dentist, his original name was Pearl Zane Gray. He is regarded as the father of the modern American Western novel. He was born on 31 January 1872, in Zanesville Ohio, a town founded by his mother's ancestors. His parents were Lewis M. Gray and Josephine Alice Zane Gray. His father was a dentist and preacher. From early childhood, Gray was passionate about three things baseball, fishing and writing. His father trained him as a dentist, later he studied dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, he won a scholarship for baseball skill and played as amateur. In 1898, he started his practice as a dentist, in New York. He had passion for writing also. In 1902, his first literary work, A Day on the Delaware was published in a magazine. Betty Zane his first novel was published in 1903. After his marriage Grey left his dental practice, devoted his time for writing. In 1912 his book 'Riders of the Purple Sage' was published. It was a great success and his best seller book. His notable works - Riders of the Purple Sage (best seller) The Last Trail The Rainbow Trail The Lone Star Ranger Valley of the Wild Horses The Ohio River Trilogy He was died on 23 October 1939 at the age of 67 years.