Stephen Crane (November 1, 1871 – June 5, 1900) was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist who wrote prolifically in his short life, becoming one of the best writers in the genres of Realism and Naturalism. Like Ambrose Bierce, Crane wrote often about war, inspired in part by his time spent as a war correspondent.

Although he was never a soldier, and he was born after the Civil War, his most famous novel was The Red Badge of Courage, making him a known name across the world during the 1890s. Another Civil War work of his was The Little Regiment, a masterful work that has realistic battle sequences, vivid imagery, psychology, and a tone of irony.