What is the Horatio Alger concept?

adjective. of or characteristic of the heroes in the novels of Horatio Alger, who begin life in poverty and achieve success and wealth through honesty, hard work, and virtuous behavior: the Horatio Alger story of his rise in the business world.

What did Horatio Alger believe?

The “rags to riches” stories that Horatio Alger Jr. wrote in the late nineteenth century helped the population of the United States believe the myth that anyone could work hard and become rich, a “self made man”. His readers ignored the moral qualities of his heroes and instead focused on their success.

What did Horatio Alger Jr write about?

Horatio Alger Jr. (/ˈældʒər/; January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) was an American writer of young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through good works. This brings the boy—and his plight—to the attention of a wealthy individual.

Was Horatio Alger married?

Once again bowing to his father’s wishes, Alger broke off his engagement, a move that he lachrymosely regretted the rest of his life. He never married and it wasn’t until he was past 60 that he even fell in love again.

When was Horatio Alger born and when did he die?

See Article History. Alternative Titles: Horatio Alger, Jr. Horatio Alger, also called Horatio Alger, Jr., (born Jan. 13, 1832, Chelsea, Mass., U.S.—died July 18, 1899, Natick, Mass.), one of the most popular American authors in the last 30 years of the 19th century and perhaps the most socially influential American writer of his generation.

What kind of Education did Horatio Alger have?

Alger was the son of a Unitarian minister, Horatio Alger, Sr., who tutored him in reading from the age of six. The young Alger showed an interest in writing, and at Harvard University he distinguished himself in the classics and graduated in 1852 with Phi Beta Kappa honours.

What was the theme of Horatio Alger’s books?

All of Alger’s juvenile novels share essentially the same theme: a teenage boy improves his circumstances by virtuous behavior. There is a “Horatio Alger myth” that the boy becomes wealthy through hard work, but this is inaccurate.

Why did Horatio Alger take a trip to California?

In the 1870s, Alger’s fiction was growing stale. His publisher suggested he tour the American West for fresh material to incorporate into his fiction. Alger took a trip to California, but the trip had little effect on his writing: he remained mired in the staid theme of “poor boy makes good.”