Horatio Alger ​

Horatio Alger Jr. was an American writer, best known for his many young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His stories were popular among young readers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and he was one of the best-selling authors in the genre of "rags to riches" tales.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote 135 dime novels in the course of his career.
• His characters often start out as poor but become rich through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty.
• He was a prolific writer, producing one 30,000 word novella a month.
• His work has been translated into several languages.
• He died a wealthy man due to the popularity of his novels.
• His novels inspired a sushi roll in Japan known as the Horatio Roll.

Background ​

Alger was born on January 13, 1832, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the son of a Unitarian minister. He attended Harvard University and graduated in 1852. He worked as a schoolteacher in Rhode Island and studied theology at Harvard Divinity School. After some time as a minister, he moved to New York City in 1866 to pursue a career in writing.

Algier's writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which featured a poor boy working hard to become rich and successful. His first book, Ragged Dick, was published in 1867 and was an instant success. Alger went on to write more than a hundred books, continuing to depict the classic American success story. His work has been both praised for its empowerment of the poor and criticized for its lack of attention to structural issues in society. Alger died in 1899.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Alger's writing style is easy to read and straightforward, characterized by themes of rags-to-riches stories where hard work, honesty, and determination help the central character to improve their circumstances. His work offered hope and encouragement to readers in difficult times, and helped define the American Dream. His stories reflected the societal values of his time, placing an emphasis on personal effort and morality. His work has continued to influence the shaping of the American cultural and social landscape.

Notable Works ​

• Ragged Dick (1868)
• Fame and Fortune (1868)
• Mark, The Match Boy (1869)
• Rough and Ready (1870)
• Sink or Swim (1870)
• Tattered Tom (1871)
• Strive and Succeed (1872)
• Try and Trust (1873)
• Bound to Rise (1874)
• The Tin Box (1876)