1871--1900, American novelist, poet, and short-story writer, b. Newark, N.J. Often designated the first modern American writer, Crane is ranked among the authors who introduced realism into American literature. The 14th child of a Methodist minister, he grew up in Port Jervis, N.Y., and briefly attended Lafayette College and Syracuse Univ. He moved to New York City in 1890 and for five years lived in poverty as a free-lance writer.
His first novel, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893), a grimly realistic story of slum life, was unpopular but gained the young writer the friendship of Hamlin Garland and William Dean Howells. Crane's next novel, The Red Badge of Courage (1895, restored ed. 1982), brought him wide and deserved fame. Set during the Civil War, the novel traces the development of a young recruit, Henry Fleming, through fear, illusion, panic, and cowardice, to a quiet, humble heroism. This remarkable account of the emotions of a soldier under fire is all the more amazing since Crane had never been in battle. On the strength of the novel he served as a foreign correspondent in Cuba and in Greece.
Around 1897 Crane married Cora Taylor, who ran a brothel in Florida. His marriage, coupled with his unorthodox personality, aroused scandalous rumors, including those that he was a drug addict and a satanist. Because of this slander Crane spent his last years abroad; he died of tuberculosis in Germany at the age of 28.
There is some debate on whether or not Crane was ever married, as no official record exists. Also, Crane is credited as one of the founders of American naturalism, not American realism. Neither Maggie nor RBC is a realist novel.
nickguyrees 1 month ago
i love this guy
Toetalwar 3 months ago
Grim scene and somehow ironic with his callousness , where is it taken from?
sternberg1 1 year ago
@nirvgardengod
but have you read that he wasn't?
folklorette 1 year ago
STEPHEN IS STILL A NOOB
Motownisyourtown 1 year ago
i have never heard or read that he was a drunk and drug user,,,
nirvgardengod 1 year ago
STEPHEN IS A NOOB
Motownisyourtown 1 year ago
hahahah
mmike01 4 years ago 2