February 15, 1905 - Lew Wallace Dies

Living one of the most remarkable lives of the late 19th century, Lew Wallace earned distinction in American political history, military history, and Christian literature. He served as Governor of the New Mexico Territory, U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, a Union Army General during the American Civil War, and as one of the military judges at the trial of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassins. Beyond his public service, Lew Wallace is best known for authoring Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, which was one of the most influential Chrisitan novels of the 19th century. On February 15, 1905, Lew Wallace died in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Christians today can learn from Wallace’s legacy that faith can influence a multitude of areas including government, culture, and literature. Through his bestselling novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, he introduced millions of readers to a powerful narrative centered around Jesus Christ, showing how Christian faith can influence public imagination and spiritual reflection. His service in national leadership- including roles connected to Abraham Lincoln- also highlights the role of Christian conviction in public life. For modern Christians, Wallace’s life encourages believers to pursue excellence in their vocations while using their talents to advance biblical themes, engage society thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully to both faith and culture.

Public-domain illustration from Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), via Wikimedia Commons.