First edition. George Sterling (1889-1926) was born in Sag Harbor, NY but eventually was sent to Oakland, California to work for his uncle. He spent the majority of his time writing poetry and became a major literary figure. He was friends with Ambrose Bierce, Jack London and Clark Ashton Smith. H.L. Mencken called him the leading candidate for America's Poet Laureate. Sterling did not lead a long life as he committed suicide in 1926.