Louis Zara, 91; Publisher, Art Collector, Author

Louis Zara, 91, a publisher, art collector and author of historical fiction, died Oct. 5 at his home in New York City.

Zara, a former executive at Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. in Chicago, wrote fictional accounts of the lives of historical greats, including Stephen Crane, Herman Melville and Philip II of Spain.

He wrote nearly a dozen novels, including “This Land Is Ours” (1940), which followed one family’s life on the American frontier between 1755 and 1835.

Zara’s other works include “Blessed Is the Man” (1935), “Give Us This Day” (1935), “Some for the Glory” (1937), “Against the Rock” (1943), “Ruth Middleton” (1946), “Rebel Run” (1951), “In the House of the King” (1952), “Blessed Is the Land” (1954) and “Dark Rider” (1961).

After his tenure at Ziff-Davis, he was editor in chief of the adult trade division of Follett Publishing Co. He also edited Cameo, a magazine for collectors of art medals, and wrote for television and radio.