'The Heritage of Dedlow Marsh' is a collection of novellas featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush period of American History. The titles of the novellas include, 'The Heritage Of Dedlow Marsh', 'A Knight-Errant Of The Foot-Hills', 'A Secret Of Telegraph Hill' and 'Captain Jim's Friend'.

Bret Harte (1836–1902) was an American short story writer and poet, best remembered for his tales of the American West during the Gold Rush era. His unique narrative style blended wit, a keen observation of frontier life, and a genuine empathy for his characters, setting the foundation for the Western genre. Harte's work pivots around the prolific use of regionalism, capturing the colorful vernacular and the rugged landscape of early California. 'The Heritage of Dedlow Marsh,' one of his engaging narratives, exemplifies his skill in portraying complex characters bound by the peculiar moral codes of the West. Harte's influence extended to nurturing other literary figures of his time, and his legacy endures through his contributions to American literary realism and the establishment of Western fictional motifs. Although he wrote numerous stories, his career was highlighted by works such as 'The Luck of Roaring Camp' (1868), 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat' (1869), and 'M'liss' (1873), each reflecting the dichotomy of roughness and sentiment that characterized Gold Rush society. Respected by his contemporaries, including Mark Twain with whom he collaborated on 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,' Harte's seminal voice in American literature continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike.