Stephen Crane

Biography

Stephen Crane (1871–1900) reshaped American letters with his groundbreaking realism and his sympathetic portrayal of human struggle, most famously in The Red Badge of Courage. Though he earned renown as a novelist, he also moved readers with lyrical short stories such as “The Open Boat,” capturing both the peril and nobility of ordinary lives.

Despite dying at a young age, Crane’s fearless approach to narrative and his sense of compassion left an indelible mark, influencing countless writers who followed. His work continues to be read for its psychological depth and its honesty about the costs of courage.