Augustus Baldwin Longstreet was an American lawyer, minister, educator, and humorist who became known for his literary contributions, particularly in the genre of Southwestern humor. He was born in 1790 in Augusta, Georgia, and graduated from Yale College. Longstreet went on to study law and was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1812. Despite his successful law practice, he found his true passion in writing and education. He served as the president of multiple colleges, contributing significantly to the development of Southern literature.