The New Student's Reference Work/Wallace, Lewis
Wallace, Lewis, an American general and writer, was born at Brookville, Ind., in 1827. His military service was in the Mexican War and in the Civil War, where he commanded a division at the capture of Fort Donelson, and guarded Cincinnati when besieged by Gen. Kirby Smith. In July, 1864, though defeated by General Early who was marching on Washington, his attack detained the Confederate forces until Grant had re-enforced the capital. He was governor of New Mexico from 1878 to 1881 and minister to Turkey from 1881 to 1885. His writings include The Fair God, a story of the conquest of Mexico; Life of Benjamin Harrison, The Boyhood of Christ, The Prince of India and the most popular of his works, Ben Hur, a Tale of the Christ. He died on Feb. 15, 1905.
[Image: GEN. LEW, WALLACE]