Betty Zane (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

Grey's first novel, self-published in 1903, was based on the journal of one of his ancestors, Betty Zane, famed for braving hostile fire to bring desperately needed gunpowder to the patriots defending Fort Henry in 1782.  Grey's rousing depiction of life along the Ohio frontier proved popular, enabling him to close his dental practice and become a full-time writer.