Leon Claire Metz

Leon Claire Metz (born November 6, 1930) is an American cultural historian, author, television documentary personality, and lecturer on the American Old West period. Metz has presented hundreds of his programs to groups all over the U.S. particularly in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona. Metz has also made numerous TV appearances television documentaries most notably, A&E's The Real West series, which is also shown on The History Channel.

This article is about the American cultural historian. For the Luxembourgian statesman and industrialist, see Léon Metz.
Leon Claire Metz
Born (1930-11-06) November 6, 1930
Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Occupationcultural historian. author, columnist, television personality
Years active1958-present
Spouse(s)Cheryl Schilling
Children4
AwardsSaddleman Award (1985)

Early life and career

Metz was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia,[1] and graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1948. He then joined the US Air Force during the Korean War. He was primarily stationed at Biggs Field, El Paso where he was a propeller mechanic, attaining the rank of staff sergeant, which he would later portray in his book Fort Bliss: An Illustrated History. C.L. "Doc" Sonnichsen a noted historian himself, would serve as an early mentor for the young Metz.

Literary and other works

Metz has penned 17 books, most notably John Selman: Texas Gunfighter and a biography of Old West lawman Pat Garrett. Metz also hosted a weekly column in the El Paso Times. Metz also hosts a radio show, The Leon Metz Show on KTSM, which relates to Southwestern U.S. history. He can also be seen often on BBC television specials on the west. On June 16, 2012 Metz contributed his voice to an alternative hip hop album entitled Greetings from El Paso, a concept album about El Paso, Texas by local rapper Zyme One.

Other books are:

Other Books are:
Border: The U. S.-Mexico Line 03/28/2008
Dangerous Dan Tucker: New Mexico's Deadly Lawman by Bob Alexander w/intro by Leon Metz 2004
The Encyclopedia of Lawmen, Outlaws, and Gunfighters by Leon Metz 12/28/2002
El Paso : Guided through Time by Leon Metz, Frank Mangan, Judy Mangan 10/15/1999
John Wesley Hardin; Dark Angel of Texas 03/28/1998
Robert E. McKee Master Builder by Leon Metz, Nancy Hamilton, Louis McKee 01/15/1998
400 Years in El Paso by Leon Metz, Danielle Moses and Eric Michaels 11/28/1997, ISBN 0944551254
The Shooters: A Gallery of Notorious Gunmen from the American West 09/28/1996
Roadside History of Texas by Leon Metz and Daniel Greer 05/28/1994, ISBN 0878422943
El Paso Chronicles : A Record of Historical Events in El Paso, Texas by Leon Metz, Frank Mangan, Judy Mangan, Frank Mangan 10/01/1993
Dallas Stoudenmire; El Paso Marshal, Vol. 53 03/15/1993
Riders Along the Rio Grande : A Collection of Outlaws, Prostitutes and Vigilantes by Bob L'Aloge, Leon Metz 08/31/1992
Southern New Mexico Empire : First National Bank of Dona Ana County by Leon Metz 12/28/1990
Wilson and the Kid by Donald Lavash, Leon Metz 05/01/1990
John Selman, Gunfighter by Leon Metz 05/01/1989
Desert Army : Fort Bliss on the Texas Border by Leon Metz, Tom Lea, Jose Cisneros, Antonio Castro, Frederick Carter 01/27/1989
Turning Points in El Paso, Texas by Leon Metz 01/27/1989
Pat Garrett: The Story of a Western Lawman 03/28/1983
El Paso : City at the Pass: An Illustrated History by Leon Metz 01/01/1980

Awards

He is the 2010 Winner of the Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Historical Commission. This award recognizes an individual who has made a significant, long-term contribution to historic preservation in Texas.

In 1985 he was awarded the Saddleman Award.

Personal life

Metz, who has lived in El Paso, Texas since the days after his graduation from high school, is married to the former Cheryl Schilling, a speech therapist for autistic children. They have four adult children.

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References
  1. "Parkersburg, West Virginia". City-Data.com. Retrieved June 7, 2014.


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