Kenneth Taylor Perkins, a celebrated literary personality, entered this world on May 16, 1890, in the charming town of Kodaikanal, India, where his American parents had made their home. This auspicious beginning was followed by a rigorous educational upbringing, as he embarked on a scholarly journey at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. During his tenure at this esteemed institution, Perkins laid the groundwork for a lifetime of literary pursuits by earning a degree in English literature, a discipline that would come to define his illustrious career. Furthermore, his time at UC Berkeley was marked by the formation of lasting and meaningful relationships with future literary giants, including the renowned authors Frederick Schiller, better known by his pen name Max Brand, Sidney Howard, and Aubrey Drury, associations that would undoubtedly have a profound impact on his life and work.
Perkins, following the successful culmination of his educational endeavors, ventured into a teaching profession, occupying the position of English instructor at Pomona College, a prestigious institution of higher learning situated in the picturesque city of Claremont, California. Nevertheless, his academic trajectory was unexpectedly truncated by the onset of the tumultuous World War I, which compelled Perkins to suspend his scholarly pursuits and answer the call to national service, subsequently enlisting as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army's field artillery branch.
Perkins' literary endeavors underwent a significant surge in productivity during the 1920s, as his creations began to proliferate across various periodicals and subsequently made their way to the big screen. Two of his theatrical productions, "Creoles" which premiered in 1927, and "Desire" which debuted in 1930, garnered notable productions on the esteemed Broadway stage. Meanwhile, his narrative, "Ride Him Cowboy!", underwent a remarkable transformation, being adapted for cinematic purposes on not one, but two separate occasions.
Kenneth Taylor Perkins' life, a chapter filled with triumph and tribulation, ultimately came to a close on June 7, 1951, after a five-month stay at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Los Angeles, a city that had witnessed the ebbs and flows of his life's journey.
A life of literary pursuits had been his, leaving behind a rich tapestry of written works that would continue to inspire and captivate generations to come.
But Perkins' life was not just defined by his literary accomplishments; he was also a devoted family man, leaving behind a loving wife, Grace, who had stood by his side through the joys and sorrows of life.
And then, of course, there was his daughter, a precious gem who had brought untold joy to his life, and who would now carry on his legacy long after he was gone.
