The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains (1902) by Owen Wister is considered the first true Western novel, establishing many of the genre's classic themes and archetypes. It tells the story of an unnamed cowboy-"the Virginian"-as he navigates the rugged life of the American frontier, grappling with issues of justice, morality, and love.

Set in late 19th-century Wyoming, the novel follows the Virginian, a quiet but strong and honorable cowboy, as he rises from a ranch hand to a respected leader. He faces challenges including cattle rustling, lawlessness, and a tense rivalry with the villainous Trampas. The novel also features a love story between the Virginian and Molly Wood, an educated schoolteacher from the East, highlighting the tension between civilization and frontier life.

The Virginian helped shape the Western genre, influencing later works like those of Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, and Hollywood Westerns. It defined the lone cowboy hero, the moral code of the frontier, and the Western as a uniquely American myth.