Laurence Tucker Stallings was born on November 25, 1894 in Macon, Georgia. He was the son of Larkin Tucker Stallings and Aurora Brooks. Growing up, he showed an early interest in writing and storytelling.
Stallings attended Wake Forest University, where he honed his writing skills. After graduating, he took a job writing copy for a recruitment center. This experience would later influence his writing, particularly his work that focused on wartime experiences.
Despite his success as a writer, Stallings felt compelled to serve his country during World War I. He enlisted in the military and fought in France in the battle of Belleau Wood. This experience would have a profound impact on his writing and worldview.
Stallings gained recognition for his autobiographical work, Plumes, which detailed his experiences during World War I. He also co-wrote the play What Price Glory with Maxwell Anderson, which became a hit in 1924. His novel Doughboys shed light on the racial discrimination faced by soldiers during the war.
Stallings' work had a significant impact on the portrayal of war in film. Three of John Ford's war-themed movies were influenced by Stallings' writing: 3 Godfathers, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and The Sun Shines Bright. His novel, Plumes, was adapted into the successful motion picture, The Big Parade, by King Vidor.
Stallings was married twice in his lifetime. First to Helen Purefoy Poteat, and later to Louise St. Leger Vance. His personal relationships and life experiences likely influenced his writing and the themes he explored in his work.
Laurence Stallings' legacy as a writer and war veteran continues to be celebrated today. His work sheds light on the harsh realities of war and the challenges faced by soldiers on the front lines. Despite his passing, Stallings' impactful storytelling and contribution to literature live on through his timeless works.