Stephen Crane (1871–1900) had a prolific though short career and the naturalism of his writing style revolutionized American fiction at the turn of the century. Crane began writing at a young age. He left college before graduating and published his first novel, Maggie: Girl of the Streets (1893), at the age of nineteen. Two years later, Crane achieved international fame with his novel The Red Badge of Courage (1895). Though Crane was born after the Civil War and did not have any combat experience, the novel was acclaimed for its realistic depictions of battle and grappled with themes of honor, courage, fear, and sacrifice. Though the novel was both a critical and popular success, Crane faced financial problems following its publication, as well as several personal scandals. Crane then decided to take a job as a newspaper correspondent in Europe, but became ill with tuberculosis shortly after arriving. He died at a sanatorium in Germany at the age of 28.