Lester Dent, writing under the pseudonyms Kenneth Robeson and Tim Ryan, was a prolific American novelist and short story writer known for his significant contributions to the mystery-detective and science fiction genres. He is best remembered for the nearly two hundred Doc Savage novels he authored during the 1930s and 1940s. These works, characterized by their adventurous plots and the protagonist Dr. Clark Savage's remarkable abilities and technological gadgets, were published under the pseudonym Kenneth Robeson, as required by his publishers. Dent's style, as explored in Doc Savage and His Circle, combines elements of science fiction and fantasy, featuring mythological and exotic settings alongside technological marvels. During World War II, as noted in The Sunset of the Superman, the novels adopted a more realistic tone, reflecting contemporary concerns and complexities.

Dent's literary career began after he was inspired by a colleague to write for pulp magazines, leading to his role as a house writer for Dell Publishing in New York. Besides the famed Doc Savage series, he wrote mystery novels and short stories for esteemed publications like Black Mask, where his stories "Sail" and "Angelfish" are considered prime examples of the magazine’s gritty style, as discussed in Lester Dent: The Last of Joe Shaw's Black Mask Boys. Dent's versatility is also evident in his mystery novel Dead at the Take-off, which departs from the fantastical elements of his earlier works to deliver a complex narrative of intrigue and corruption.

Critics recognize Dent’s mastery in refining pulp fiction formulas and injecting humor and intricate plots into his stories, distinguishing them from typical genre writing. However, some argue that the Doc Savage novels were primarily crafted for mass appeal rather than literary merit, a sentiment Dent himself echoed. His mystery novels and Black Mask stories are often more highly regarded for their sophisticated portrayal of characters and the hard-boiled style, as highlighted by Marilyn Cannaday in Lester Dent and Doc Savage: Heroes and Adventurers. Despite varying critical perspectives, Dent's works have maintained an enduring popularity, reflecting both their historical context and timeless entertainment value.