Author. Raised in a strict Calvinist home he attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a clergyman but heeded the call to write instead. A native of Revere, Massachusetts he graduated from Harvard Divinity School having studied under the famed poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His attempt to join the Union army was thwarted because he had asthma. Discouraged he left for Paris where after much soul searching he decided to enter the ministry. He returned to America in 1864 and became a minister in a Cape Cod Unitarian church. Two years later he abruptly left the ministry and went to New York City to pursue a career in writing. Moved by the poverty witnessed there he began writing novels about young impoverished boys who became successful. His “rags to riches” stories became very popular. Although the one hundred and thirty-four dime novels written by him were often repetitive and followed the same theme, they struck a chord in America’s nineteenth century culture and planted the hope of the "American Dream" in many hearts. In spite of his writing successes he never became rich, choosing to give much of his earnings to the homeless. The “Horatio Alger Society” was founded in 1947 to honor his memory by awarding scholarships to individuals who have overcome obstacles to succeed.
Author. Raised in a strict Calvinist home he attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps of being a clergyman but heeded the call to write instead. A native of Revere, Massachusetts he graduated from Harvard Divinity School having studied under the famed poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His attempt to join the Union army was thwarted because he had asthma. Discouraged he left for Paris where after much soul searching he decided to enter the ministry. He returned to America in 1864 and became a minister in a Cape Cod Unitarian church. Two years later he abruptly left the ministry and went to New York City to pursue a career in writing. Moved by the poverty witnessed there he began writing novels about young impoverished boys who became successful. His “rags to riches” stories became very popular. Although the one hundred and thirty-four dime novels written by him were often repetitive and followed the same theme, they struck a chord in America’s nineteenth century culture and planted the hope of the "American Dream" in many hearts. In spite of his writing successes he never became rich, choosing to give much of his earnings to the homeless. The “Horatio Alger Society” was founded in 1947 to honor his memory by awarding scholarships to individuals who have overcome obstacles to succeed.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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