Clarence E. Mulford was an American author born on February 11, 1883, in Burlington, Iowa. He is best known for his contributions to the Western genre, particularly through his creation of the character Hopalong Cassidy. Mulford wrote numerous novels and short stories, with his works often featuring themes of adventure and the American frontier. His writing career spanned several decades, and he published over 30 books. Mulford's stories were popular in the early 20th century and contributed to the rise of Western fiction in American literature. He passed away on May 10, 1956, leaving a lasting legacy in the genre.