Marshal South

Roy Bennet Richards (24 February 1889 – 22 October 1948), better known by the pen name Marshal South, was an Australian author and poet, best known for his experiment in primitive living in the Anza-Borrego Desert of Southern California.

For 17 years, South lived with his family in a remote desert location, which he called Ghost Mountain, miles from any town or reliable water source. He wrote numerous articles about primitive living for Desert Magazine, and an article for Saturday Evening Post about his experiences. He also authored novels set in the American West, and wrote and published poetry.

South is the subject of a book by Peter Wild and a 2005 documentary by John McDonald that is screened daily at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. A hiking trail at the state park is also named for him.