Crane, Stephen, 1871-1900

Stephen Crane (1871–1900) was an American writer who lived to be only twenty-nine. Fifteen of his works are held in this collection, commonly grouped under inspirational coming-of-age reading. His representative works include The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, The Open Boat and Other Stories, The Little Regiment, and Other Episodes of the American Civil War, The Monster and Other Stories, and War is Kind. Drawing mainly on the American Civil War and the lives of the urban poor, his writing is cool and restrained, focusing on how characters respond psychologically and morally in extreme situations and forming a distinctive naturalist and impressionist style. The Red Badge of Courage, with its theme of fear and courage in war, has had a lasting influence, while Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, concerned with poverty and degradation, was controversial when first published. Public information on details of his life, education, and awards is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.