My Life I was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on July 22, 1898. At the age of three I got scarlet fever which permanently affected my vision and health. My father James Walker Benet, a colonel in the United States army. As a child I remember moving a lot because my dad was in the army. I was fascinated in reading my father's books on military subjects as a child. Literary was greatly appreciated in my family, in fact, many of my siblings became writers as well. When I grew older I went to Yale University and published two volumes of verses by the age of seventeen. I continued my studies in France and returned to the U.S. with my wife. My wife, Rosemary, and I had three beautiful children, Rachel, Thomas, and Stephanie. I died March 13, 1943, from a heart attach when I was only 44.
World Events When I was just five years old the Wright brothers made the first working plane. When I was nineteen years old the first World War started. I was in the civilian military service for a year. In 1939, just a few years before I died, the second World War begun.
My Influences My writings were greatly influenced by my father's military books. I enjoyed folktales and ballads, but I have to say that my greatest influence was the Civil War. I wrote many stories based on the Civil War, including 'John Brown's Body.' I often wrote about events leading up to conflict and actual battle scenes.
My Poetic Style My style of writing is distinguished by its patriotism and historical detail. I write in a large range of styles from short stories to long narrative poems. I like to explore different writing techniques, for instance, writing from various viewpoints.