Edwin Ernest (December 15, 1899-August 29, 1961) was a famous modern American novelist, short story writer, critic, and translator. He was born into a Hispanic family and lived in France and Canada before returning to the United States to write. Ernest's career began in the 1920s, when he had already become a mature short story writer. His works were known for their concise and clear style, often focusing on people at the bottom of society and their plight. His masterpieces include The Sun Also Rises, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Paris Scavengers. Violence and conflict often appeared in Ernest's works, which reflected his concern for social reality and his aversion to violence. His works were also highly praised by his literary peers as one of the most important short story writers of the 20th century. However, his writing style also caused controversy. Some people thought that he emphasized simplicity and realism too much, while others thought that his novels lacked depth and humanity. Ernest died in 1961 at the age of 51.