author
Ben. E. (Benjamin Erastus) Rich
1855–1913
A lively early Mormon writer, publisher, and missionary, he mixed religious advocacy with storytelling and public debate. His books and pamphlets reflect both the energy of turn-of-the-century Utah and his talent for reaching a broad audience.
1 Audiobook
Mr. Durant of Salt Lake City, "That Mormon"
by Ben. E. (Benjamin Erastus) Rich
About the author
Born in Salt Lake City in 1855, Benjamin Erastus Rich—often published as Ben E. Rich—became a prominent Latter-day Saint missionary, speaker, publisher, and novelist. Reliable biographical sources describe him as an influential spokesman for the church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, active in both religious work and public life.
Rich wrote across several forms, including fiction, religious tracts, and apologetic works. That mix helps explain why his name still appears in historical and digital library catalogs today: he was not only a church leader, but also a working author who used print as one of his main tools.
He died in New York City in 1913. For readers coming to his work now, he stands out as a vivid example of an author whose writing was closely tied to mission work, persuasion, and the religious culture of his era.