Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb (1876-1944) was an American author, journalist, and humorist, renowned for his colorful depictions of life in the early 20th century, as well as his keen sense of humor and satirical wit. Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Cobb began his career as a reporter for the Paducah Daily News at the age of seventeen, eventually transitioning to a role at the New York World and achieving national prominence. His Southern background significantly influenced his writing, which often carried a distinctively regional voice, blending the local vernacular with insights into the human condition. Cobb's zest for storytelling is evident in his extensive bibliography, which includes more than 60 books and 300 short stories. One of his acclaimed works, 'Roughing it De Luxe' (1914), is a humorous travelogue depicting the luxurious side of adventurous travel at the time, straddling the line between the comforts of wealth and the unpredictability of the great American West. His literary style intertwined humor with a reporter's eye for detail, offering an entertaining and insightful perspective on the quirks and foibles of society. Cobb's contributions to American literature were celebrated with his election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1930. His legacy is preserved not only in his written works but in the continued analysis and enjoyment of his storytelling.