Traven, B(en) (c. 1882–1969)

German-born US novelist. His true identity was not revealed until 1979. His books include the best-seller The Death Ship 1926 and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 1934, which was made into a film starring Humphrey Bogart 1948.

Born in a part of Germany now in Poland, he was in turn known as the anarchist Ret Marut, Traven Torsvan, and Hollywood scriptwriter Hal Croves. Between the two world wars he lived in obscurity in Mexico and avoided recognition.