Who directed the film "The Maltese Falcon", by many considered the first in the Film Noir genre?

Explanation

John Huston (1906-1987) was a very productive film director indeed. He directed 47 films throughout his career. He was born in Missouri in 1906 and already started making films at a very young age. Highlights of his long career include "The African Queen", "The Man Who Would Be King" and "The Asphalt Jungle". He was a pioneer within the Film Noir genre, directing the 1941 film "The Maltese Falcon", by many considered the first of the genre. He won an Academy Award for best director in 1948 for the film "The Treasure of Sierra Madre", which stars Humphrey Bogart. Bogart was also Huston's best friend off screen. Apart from being a great director, Huston was also an accomplished amateur boxer .