John Rollin Ridge

John Rollin Ridge (Indian name: Yellow Bird, March 19, 1827–October 5,1867), a member of the Cherokee tribe, is considered the first Native American novelist.

Related Topics:
March 19 - 1827 - October 5 - 1867 - Cherokee - Native American

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Born in New Echota, Georgia, he was the son of John Ridge, and the grandson of Major Ridge. At the age of 12, he witnessed both their deaths at the hands of supporters of John Ross. In 1849 he killed Ross sympathizer David Kell over a horse dispute, and he fled to Missouri. The next year, he joined in the California Gold Rush. While there, he wrote essays for the Democratic Party before writing what is now considered the first Native American novel and the first novel written in California, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta: The Celebrated California Bandit (1854). A fictionalized version of the notorious bandit's story, the tale describes a young Mexican who comes to California to seek his fortune during the Gold Rush and turns to crime after his wife is raped and murdered by white men. This later inspired the Zorro stories.

Related Topics:
New Echota - Georgia - John Ridge - Major Ridge - John Ross - 1849 - Missouri - California Gold Rush - Democratic Party - Joaquin Murieta - 1854 - Mexican - Zorro

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Ridge, who contributed to a number of abolitionist papers before and during the Civil War, went on to work as a newspaper editor and writer for the Sacramento Bee and the San Francisco Herald, among other publications.

Related Topics:
Abolitionist - Civil War - Sacramento Bee - San Francisco Herald

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