Hal Borland (1900–1978) was an American author, journalist, and naturalist whose writing celebrated nature and rural life. Born in Nebraska and raised on a Colorado homestead, he developed a deep connection to the outdoors, later detailed in memoirs like High, Wide and Lonesome. After studying journalism at Columbia University, he worked for newspapers, including The New York Times, while authoring over 30 books, such as the acclaimed When the Legends Die and nature-focused works like Sundial of the Seasons. His personal life included two marriages and a move to a Connecticut farm, where he wrote until his death from emphysema in 1978, leaving a lasting legacy in American literature.