Robert Ervin Howard, born on 22 January 1906 in Peaster, Texas, died by suicide on 11 June 1936 in Cross Plains, Texas. He was an American author of fantasy literature, as well as several western novels. He is considered the inventor of sword and sorcery fantasy. Howard's professional career began in Texas with the usual field work as a cotton picker, cowboy, salesman, in a lawyer's office, as a surveyor to a journalist.