Lea Franklin McCarty (1905 - 1960) was a painter, illustrator, and sculptor best known for his depictions of the 'Old West,' in particular his life-size portraits of gunslingers, such as Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. Born in Los Angeles, McCarty studied at the University of Southern California and the Chouinard Art School. He became fascinated with the Old West and began work on his thoroughly-researched portraits, more than 100 of which he produced by the time of his death. Soon before his death, a book titled Gunfighters of the Old West was published, including reproductions of his portraits and biographical information on some twenty of the most famous gunslingers.