Lew Wallace

Lewis "Lew" Wallace (April 10, 1827–February 15, 1905) was an American Civil War general, U.S. statesman and author, who is probably best remembered for his book Ben-Hur.

Notes toward an article

Born in Brookville, Indiana (his father David Wallace was later Indiana Governor), served in Mexican-American War, admitted to the bar in 1849.
Helped raise troops in Indiana for at start of Civil War, rose to Major General in Union army fighting (with some controversy) at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Monocacy.
Participated in trials of Lincoln assassination conspirators and Henry Wirz, commandant of Andersonville prison camp.
Served as Governor of New Mexico Territory (1878-1881), and U. S. Minister to Turkey (1881-1885).
As Governor he offered amnesty to many men involved in the Lincoln County War. In the process he met with Billy the Kid.
Author of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880) which has never been out of print and has been filmed three times.
Died in Crawfordsville, Indiana and buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Good overview with a bibliography of his works: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~rcadams/
Lew Wallace site in Crawfordsville: http://www.ben-hur.com/
Wallace in Indiana Civil War history: http://www.mach500.net/liggetkw/incw/hoosier/wallace.htm
Project Gutenberg e-texts of


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