Nathanael West (born Nathan Weinstein; October 17, 1903 – December 22, 1940) was an American writer and screenwriter renowned for his darkly satirical novels. Among his most notable works are Miss Lonelyhearts (1933) and The Day of the Locust (1939), which critically examine the newspaper and Hollywood film industries, respectively.

Originally named Nathan Weinstein, West was the son of prosperous Jewish parents. From the outset, he sought to craft his own legend, which included anglicizing his name. His college years at Brown University in Rhode Island were marked by a friendship with writer and humorist S. J. Perelman, who would later marry West's sister. During this period, West began his foray into writing and cartooning. Notably, he almost failed to graduate due to a failed course in modern drama but managed to persuade a professor to alter his marks through a tearful apology.

West's journey then took him to Paris for a couple of years, where he penned his first novel. His career is an exemplar of the American Lost Generation's literary output, often characterized by its satirical edge.