Lew Wallace

Lew Wallace (1827–1905) was an American author, lawyer, Union general in the Civil War, and diplomat who served as Governor of the New Mexico Territory and as US Minister to the Ottoman Empire. He is one of the most remarkable figures in nineteenth-century American public life. Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ, first published in 1880, is one of the bestselling novels of all time and was the most influential Christian novel of the nineteenth century. The story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince betrayed by his Roman friend Messala, through slavery, vengeance, and ultimately redemption, culminating in the famous chariot race that has become one of the most iconic scenes in literature and cinema. Wallace's audiobooks and books continue to find new audiences among listeners and readers who appreciate epic historical fiction. Ben Hur inspired multiple film adaptations, including the legendary 1959 Charlton Heston film, and remains a powerful story of justice, faith, and redemption.