Gustave Aimard

Gustave Aimard (1818-1883) was a French novelist who specialized in adventure novels set in exotic locations, particularly in the Wild West. Born Oliver Gloux in Paris, he went at sea aged 12. After several years spent among the Indian tribes in the U.S., he travelled in Mexico, Spain, Turkey, and the Caucasus. Upon his return to France, Gloux adopted the pen-name Aimard and started writing novels. He was involved in the 1848 Revolution and emigrated to South America after Napoleon III's coup d'etat. Back in France at the time of the Franco-Prussian War, he led a contingent of volunteers. Aimard died insane in Paris on 20 June 1883.