Leonidas Gabriel (L. G.) Hertz (1918-2009) was born in Germany. His mother died shortly after his birth, and he came to the U.S. as a young child with his father. After growing up in the Midwest, Hertz trained as a surveyor and engineer. He worked for many years in the mining industry, and the greater part of his career was spent overseas. Much of his poetry was included in letters to his stepmother and half sister.