Stephen Crane (November 1, 1871 – June 5, 1900) was an American author. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation.The eighth surviving child of Protestant Methodist parents, Crane began writing at the age of four and had published several articles by the age of 16. Having little interest in university studies, he left school in 1891 to work as a reporter and writer. Crane's first novel was the 1893 Bowery tale Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, generally considered by critics to be the first work of American literary Naturalism. He won international acclaim in 1895 for his Civil War novel The Red Badge of Courage, which he wrote without having any battle experience.In 1896, Crane endured a highly publicized scandal after appearing as a witness in the trial of a suspected prostitute, an acquaintance named Dora Clark. Late that year he accepted an offer to travel to Cuba as a war correspondent. As he waited in Jacksonville, Florida, for passage, he met Cora Taylor, the madam of a brothel, with whom he began a lasting relationship. En route to Cuba, Crane's ship sank off the coast of Florida, leaving him and others adrift for several days in a dinghy. Crane described the ordeal in "The Open Boat". During the final years of his life, he covered conflicts in Greece (accompanied by Cora, recognized as the first woman war correspondent) and later lived in England with her. He befriended writers such as Joseph Conrad and H. G. Wells. Plagued by financial difficulties and ill health, Crane died of tuberculosis in a Black Forest sanatorium in Germany at the age of 28.At the time of his death, Crane was considered an important figure in American literature. After he was nearly forgotten for two decades, critics revived interest in his life and work. Crane's writing is characterized by vivid intensity, distinctive dialects, and irony. Common themes involve fear, spiritual crises and social isolation. Although recognized primarily for The Red Badge of Courage, which has become an American classic, Crane is also known for his poetry, journalism, and short stories such as "The Open Boat", "The Blue Hotel", "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky", and The Monster. His writing made a deep impression on 20th-century writers, most prominent among them Ernest Hemingway, and is thought to have inspired the Modernists and the Imagists.
Syracuse University, Claverack College, The Pennington School, Lafayette College
Nationality
American
Spouse
Cora Crane
Parents
Jonathan Townley Crane, Mary Helen Peck Crane
Siblings
William Howe Crane, Jonathan Townley Crane, Jr., Agnes Elizabeth Crane, Luther Peck Crane, Wilbur Fiske Crane, Mary Helen Crane, George Peck Crane, Edmund Brian Crane
Movies
The Red Badge of Courage
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Quote
1
[1900, reportedly is last words] Robert - when you come to the hedge - that we must all go over - it isn't so bad. You feel sleepy - and you don't care. Just a little dreamy anxiety - which world you're really in - that's all.
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Fact
1
He was nominated for the 2016 New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Arts and Letters category.
2
His classic short story "The Open Boat" was inspired by an actual experience that occurred while he was a war correspondent. His ship having been sunk, he spent a week with a handful of other survivors in a lifeboat, some of it in rough weather. Most feel that it was during this period that he contracted the tuberculosis that lead to his early death at the age of 28.
3
Appears on sleeve of The Beatles' "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
An Illusion in Red & White
2014
Short short story
Stephen Crane's A Desertion
2014
Short original story
Tobruk
2008
novel "The Red Badge of Courage"
The Dark Riders
2001
Short poem
War is Kind: Poetry of the Civil War
1999
Video poetry written by
The Blue Hotel
1997
Short
The Blue Hotel
1977
TV Movie story
The Red Badge of Courage
1974
TV Movie novel
Das blaue Hotel
1973
TV Movie novel
Norman Corwin Presents
1972
TV Series story - 1 episode
Festival
1961
TV Series story - 1 episode
Face of Fire
1959
story "The Monster"
Schlitz Playhouse
1957
TV Series story - 1 episode
General Electric Theater
1956
TV Series story - 1 episode
Danger
1955
TV Series story - 1 episode
Your Favorite Story
TV Series story - 6 episodes, 1953 - 1954 story "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky" - 1 episode, 1953