Horatio Alger - Writers, Family and Life
Horatio Alger's Personal Details
Horatio Alger was a popular American writer, famous for his rags-to-riches story formula
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 13, 1832 |
| Died on | July 18, 1899 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Gays, Harvard University, Writers, Poets, Writers |
| City/State | Massachusetts |
| Siblings | Olive Augusta Cheney |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Revere |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Rev. Horatio Alger, Sr. |
| Mother | Olive Augusta Fenno |
| Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Born in | Revere |
| Famous as | American writer |
| Died at Age | 67 |
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Horatio Alger's photo
Who is Horatio Alger?
Horatio Alger, Jr. was a well-known 19th century American author known for his novels portraying young boys’ struggles and challenges. Most of his stories were like fairytales in which the poor protagonist achieved respectability and a better lifestyle through hard work, courage and honesty. His style of writing influenced various writers and left a profound impact on American culture during the gilded age. Alger was interested in writing from a young age. He attended the Harvard University where he studied under the illustrious Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. There, he developed his own style of writing stories, essay and poetry and won numerous awards. However, success in literary pursuits evaded him for a long time after graduating from college as many of his initial works were rejected by publishers. He found his first big success with his novel ‘Ragged Dick’, which was about a poor boy’s rise to middle class respectability. The book became a bestseller and its success motivated him to write almost entirely for boys. He wrote an entire series based on the Ragged Dick theme which was a smash hit with teenage boys. During his lifetime, he was credited to have written and published more than 100 books, and numerous poems and essays which appeared in countless periodicals.
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Childhood & Early Life
Horatio Alger, Jr. was born as the eldest son of Horatio Alger, Sr., a Unitarian minister, and his wife Olive Augusta. He had four siblings, including an invalid sister.
He grew up in poverty as his father could barely makes ends meet. He was a bright and intelligent child though weak in health.
He was a voracious reader and was home schooled during his early years. His father wanted him to continue in his footsteps, and tutored his son in classical studies and made him learn ministering to parishioners.
His father shifted the family to Marlborough in search of better fortunes and had him enrolled in the Gates Academy, a preparatory school. He excelled in his studies and completed his formal schooling by the age of 15.
He entered Harvard University in 1848 where he met distinguished personalities like Asa Gray, James Walker, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and evolved as a writer under their guidance.
He diligently read the works of famous writers of fiction like Sir Walter Scott, Herman Melville and James Cooper, and won many prestigious awards. He graduated in 1852 and was elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society.
Career
His professional career as a writer began in 1849 when two of his essays and a poem were published in the Pictorial National Library. He was a Harvard student at that time.
Upon graduation, he continued writing and selling his work, but it was not enough to make a living. Over the next few years he worked as an editor, a teacher, and a headmaster.
He published his first book, ‘Bertha's Christmas Vision: An Autumn Sheaf’ in 1856 and followed it with a long satirical poem, ‘Nothing to Do: A Tilt at our Best Society’ in 1857.
He went to the Harvard Divinity School in 1857 and upon his graduation in 1860 embarked on a long trip to Europe.
He was drafted into the army in 1861 but was soon discarded due to his poor health. Since he could not serve actively in the army, he wrote many war ballads and poems to express his patriotism.
In 1864 he published ‘Frank’s Campaign’, a story about a boy who organizes a junior army during the Civil War. It was well received by the readers. The same year, his novel ‘Marie Bertrand: The Felon’s Daughter’ was serialized in the New York Weekly.
Alger accepted a ministerial position at the First Unitarian Church and Society of Brewster, Massachusetts in December 1864. In addition to his pastoral duties, he organized games for boys, and campaigned against smoking and drinking.
He published another boys’ book ‘Paul Prescott’s Charge’ in 1865 which received positive reviews. He also submitted stories to a boys’ monthly magazine of moral writings, ‘Student and Schoolmate’.
In 1866, there were reports of sexual misconduct and moral depravation about Alger, and two boys testified that he had molested them. He did not deny the charges and left the church.
He relocated to New York and wrote a poem, ‘Friar Anselmo’, about a cleric who seeks atonement for his sins through good deeds. Alger became involved in the welfare of poor and needy boys and helped to establish boarding homes for them. He found inspiration for his future books from this experience.
His first installment of the series ‘Ragged Dick’ was published in Student and Schoolmate magazine in January 1867 which became a big hit. Inspired, he expanded the series and published it as a novel in 1868. It became a bestseller and he was signed to a contract to write an entire Ragged Dick series of books.
Propelled by this success, he went on to write many more novels within a period of three years, all of them for boys. Some of them include: ‘Fame and Fortune’ (1868), ‘Rough and Ready’ (1869), and ‘Ben, the Luggage Boy’ (1870).
Even though the ‘Ragged Dick’ series was a success, his popularity began to decline in the late 1870s. It was felt that he had lost the magic for writing new, exciting stories, and was churning out poor imitations of his previous works.
He continued writing throughout the 1880s though his books no longer sold well. He started infusing elements of sex and violence in his works, but could never recreate his past success.
Major Works
Alger was a prolific writer producing more than 100 books in his lifetime, but it was his ‘Ragged Dick’ series which made him one of the topmost children’s authors of his times. The series told the story of a poor bootblack’s rise to middle-class respectability through his intelligence, hard work and honesty.
Personal Life & Legacy
He never discussed his sexuality openly, but it was often speculated that he was homosexual.
During his later years his popularity declined considerably, and he went to live with his sister in Massachusetts.
He suffered from several ailments including bronchitis and asthma and died in 1899.
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans was established in 1947 to honour the author whose tales reverberate with the simple yet powerful message that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles.
Trivia
His works have been published by more than 60 publishers.
The musical ‘Shine!’ (1982) was based on his works, ‘Ragged Dick’ and ‘Silas Snobden’s Office Boy’.
He used a number of pseudonyms like Carl Cantab, Julian Starr, Caroline Preston, Arthur Hamilton, etc.
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Horatio Alger biography timelines
- // 13th Jan 1832Horatio Alger, Jr. was born as the eldest son of Horatio Alger, Sr., a Unitarian minister, and his wife Olive Augusta. He had four siblings, including an invalid sister.
- // 1848He entered Harvard University in 1848 where he met distinguished personalities like Asa Gray, James Walker, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and evolved as a writer under their guidance.
- // 1849His professional career as a writer began in 1849 when two of his essays and a poem were published in the Pictorial National Library. He was a Harvard student at that time.
- // 1852He diligently read the works of famous writers of fiction like Sir Walter Scott, Herman Melville and James Cooper, and won many prestigious awards. He graduated in 1852 and was elected to the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society.
- // 1856 To 1857He published his first book, ‘Bertha's Christmas Vision: An Autumn Sheaf’ in 1856 and followed it with a long satirical poem, ‘Nothing to Do: A Tilt at our Best Society’ in 1857.
- // 1857 To 1860He went to the Harvard Divinity School in 1857 and upon his graduation in 1860 embarked on a long trip to Europe.
- // 1861He was drafted into the army in 1861 but was soon discarded due to his poor health. Since he could not serve actively in the army, he wrote many war ballads and poems to express his patriotism.
- // 1864In 1864 he published ‘Frank’s Campaign’, a story about a boy who organizes a junior army during the Civil War. It was well received by the readers. The same year, his novel ‘Marie Bertrand: The Felon’s Daughter’ was serialized in the New York Weekly.
- // 1864Alger accepted a ministerial position at the First Unitarian Church and Society of Brewster, Massachusetts in December 1864. In addition to his pastoral duties, he organized games for boys, and campaigned against smoking and drinking.
- // 1865He published another boys’ book ‘Paul Prescott’s Charge’ in 1865 which received positive reviews. He also submitted stories to a boys’ monthly magazine of moral writings, ‘Student and Schoolmate’.
- // 1866In 1866, there were reports of sexual misconduct and moral depravation about Alger, and two boys testified that he had molested them. He did not deny the charges and left the church.
- // 1867 To 1868His first installment of the series ‘Ragged Dick’ was published in Student and Schoolmate magazine in January 1867 which became a big hit. Inspired, he expanded the series and published it as a novel in 1868. It became a bestseller and he was signed to a contract to write an entire Ragged Dick series of books.
- // 1868 To 1870Propelled by this success, he went on to write many more novels within a period of three years, all of them for boys. Some of them include: ‘Fame and Fortune’ (1868), ‘Rough and Ready’ (1869), and ‘Ben, the Luggage Boy’ (1870).
- // 18th Jul 1899He suffered from several ailments including bronchitis and asthma and died in 1899.
- // 1947The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans was established in 1947 to honour the author whose tales reverberate with the simple yet powerful message that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles.
- // 1982The musical ‘Shine!’ (1982) was based on his works, ‘Ragged Dick’ and ‘Silas Snobden’s Office Boy’.
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Horatio Alger's FAQ
What is Horatio Alger birthday?
Horatio Alger was born at 1832-01-13
When was Horatio Alger died?
Horatio Alger was died at 1899-07-18
Where was Horatio Alger died?
Horatio Alger was died in Natick
Which age was Horatio Alger died?
Horatio Alger was died at age 67
Where is Horatio Alger's birth place?
Horatio Alger was born in Revere
What is Horatio Alger nationalities?
Horatio Alger's nationalities is American
Who is Horatio Alger siblings?
Horatio Alger's siblings is Olive Augusta Cheney
What was Horatio Alger universities?
Horatio Alger studied at Harvard University, Harvard University, Harvard College, Harvard Divinity School
What was Horatio Alger notable alumnis?
Horatio Alger's notable alumnis is Harvard University
Who is Horatio Alger's father?
Horatio Alger's father is Rev. Horatio Alger, Sr.
Who is Horatio Alger's mother?
Horatio Alger's mother is Olive Augusta Fenno
What is Horatio Alger's sun sign?
Horatio Alger is Capricorn
How famous is Horatio Alger?
Horatio Alger is famouse as American writer