Lew Wallace

Lew Wallace was an American lawyer, soldier, diplomat, and author, best known for his novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ." Born in Indiana in 1827, Wallace served as a young man in the Mexican-American War and later rose to the rank of Union general in the American Civil War. Wallace began writing "Ben-Hur" in 1874, drawing inspiration from his travels in the Middle East and his interest in Christianity. The novel tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is falsely accused of...See more

Lew Wallace was an American lawyer, soldier, diplomat, and author, best known for his novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ." Born in Indiana in 1827, Wallace served as a young man in the Mexican-American War and later rose to the rank of Union general in the American Civil War. Wallace began writing "Ben-Hur" in 1874, drawing inspiration from his travels in the Middle East and his interest in Christianity. The novel tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is falsely accused of treason and sent to slavery in ancient Rome. Through a series of events, Ben-Hur becomes a charioteer and seeks revenge against his betrayer, while encountering Jesus Christ along the way. Aside from "Ben-Hur," Wallace wrote several other novels and biographies, as well as serving as governor of the New Mexico Territory and ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. However, his enduring legacy rests on his masterpiece, which has become an iconic part of American literature and culture. See less