Louis J. Stellman (January 6, 1877-1961) was a photographer, newspaper columnist, biographer and poet. He was born Baltimore, Maryland and went to California in July, 1896. By 1926 he was living in Menlo Park, California. Connected with the San Francisco Examiner by 1897, he also wrote "Observer" sketches for the Los Angeles Herald. These sketches were published in book form as Said the Observer in 1903. His books include: Stellman was a protegé of Arnold Genthe and produced a significant portfolio of photographs in San Francisco's Chinatown between 1906 and the beginning of World War II. His photographs appear in Chinatown photographer, Louis J. Stellman: a catalog of his photograph collection, edited by Gary E. Strong.