Kenneth Taylor Perkins was born on May 16, 1890, to American parents in the picturesque town of Kodaikanal, India. This auspicious beginning set the stage for a life marked by academic achievement and creative pursuits.
Perkins' educational journey took him to the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in English literature. During his time at UC Berkeley, he had the opportunity to rub shoulders with future literary luminaries such as Frederick Schiller (Max Brand),Sidney Howard, and Aubrey Drury.
After completing his studies, Perkins embarked on a teaching career, serving as an English instructor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. His tenure at Pomona College was marked by his dedication to his students and his passion for literature.
When the First World War broke out, Perkins answered the call to serve his country, joining the US Army as a 2nd lieutenant in the field artillery. His bravery and dedication to his country were rewarded with a distinguished service record.
In the years following the war, Perkins' writing career began to take off. By the mid-1920s, his books and short stories were appearing in magazines and being adapted for the cinema. Two of his plays, "Creoles" (1927) and "Desire" (1930),were produced on Broadway, earning him critical acclaim and commercial success.
Perkins' most famous story, "Ride Him Cowboy!", was adapted for the silver screen twice, cementing his reputation as a master of the Western genre. Over the course of his career, he submitted scores of short stories (mostly Westerns) for publication in magazines and newspapers.
Tragically, Perkins' life was cut short when he passed away on June 7, 1951, after a five-month stay at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Los Angeles. He was survived by his loving wife, Grace, and their daughter.
Despite his untimely passing, Perkins' legacy lives on through his remarkable body of work, which continues to captivate readers and inspire writers to this day.
