# Lew Wallace

## Biography

Lew Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the Civil War, governor of New Mexico Territory, diplomat, and acclaimed author. Born in Brookville, Indiana, in 1827, Wallace's life was marked by a diverse range of public service and literary pursuits. He served in the Mexican-American War and rose to the rank of Major General during the Civil War, notably delaying Confederate forces at the Battle of Monocacy. After his military career, he held significant political appointments, including governor of New Mexico Territory and U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire. However, Wallace is best remembered for his enduring historical novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, published in 1880. This monumental work became a nineteenth-century bestseller, cementing his legacy as a prominent literary figure before his death in 1905.

## Books

- [Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ](https://samolit.com/books/96783)