Todd Downing (1902-1974) was an author, reviewer, and teacher of mystery fiction, as well as an expert on the Choctaw language. Born in Atoka, Indian Territory, he spent most of his life in and around Oklahoma, except for a brief period studying Spanish, French, and anthropology at the National University of Mexico. He wrote six titles in the Hugh Rennert series, then turned to nonfiction, at which point he produced books on Mexican history and Choctaw grammar.