Lew Wallace

Lewis "Lew" Wallace (April 10, 1827 - February 15, 1905) was a Civil War general, statesman, and author, and is best known for his book Ben-Hur.

Notes toward an article

Born in Brookville, Indiana (father elected state 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