American writer and illustrator Mary Hallock Foote (1847-1938) was born in Milton, New York, on November 19, 1847. She studied painting under Winslow Homer at the Cooper Institute in New York City. With her illustrations, Foote rose to fame, contributing to magazines like Harper's Weekly and Scribner's Monthly. She captured the difficulties and distinctive ways of life of the people living in such areas by frequently illustrating images from the Western frontier in her artwork. In addition to her work as an illustrator, Foote also authored novels and short stories, often drawing from her travels in the West for inspiration. Her famous book "The Led-Horse Claim" fictionalizes her experience living in mining camps. Even though Foote would later have financial hardships, in the 1930s his literary and creative achievements were acknowledged. Her research offers an insightful viewpoint on the American west journey.
