Leon Claire Metz
Encyclopedia
Leon Claire Metz 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
.
in 1948 and 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.
. Metz also hosts 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.
Other books are:
In 1985 he was awarded the Saddleman Award.
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's The Real West series, which is also shown on The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
.
Early life and career
Metz graduated from Parkersburg High SchoolParkersburg High School
Parkersburg High School is a secondary school located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, United States, that serves grades nine through twelve and is part of the Wood County School District...
in 1948 and 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 works
Metz has penned 17 books, most notably John Selman: Texas Gunfighter and a biography of Old West lawman Pat GarrettPat Garrett
Patrick Floyd "Pat" Garrett was an American Old West lawman, bartender, and customs agent who was best known for killing Billy the Kid...
. Metz also hosts a weekly column in the El Paso Times
El Paso Times
The El Paso Times is the English-language newspaper for the U.S. city of El Paso, Texas. The paper was founded in 1881 by Marcellus Washington Carrico. It originally started out as a weekly but within a year's time, it became the daily newspaper for the frontier town.The newspaper has a daily...
. Metz also hosts a radio show, The Leon Metz Show on KTSM
KTSM
KTSM may refer to:* KTSM-TV, a television station licensed to El Paso, Texas, United States* KTSM , a radio station licensed to El Paso, Texas, United States...
, which relates to Southwestern U.S. history. He can also be seen often on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television specials on the west.
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 and 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 Angle of Texas 03/28/1998 |
| Robert E. McKee Master Builder by Leon Metz, Nancy Hamilton, Louis McKee 01/15/1998 |
| 400 Years in El Paos by Leon Metz, Danielle Moses and Eric Michaels 11/28/1997 |
| 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 |
| 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 Country 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.