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Horatio Alger, Jr.

Biography

Horatio Alger, Jr. (January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many formulaic juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of respectable middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. He wrote over 100 books, and his stories, poems, essays, and songs appeared in countless periodicals. His "rags-to-riches" stories have had a lasting impact on the American culture and many well-known authors were greatly influenced by his works.

There are many biographies of Horatio Alger, online and in print. Below you'll find links to some, and information on others.

Click here for a simple list of important milestones in Horatio Alger's Life.

Click here for a brief biography of Alger by HAS member Rob Kasper.

Click here for Northern Illinois University's biography of Horatio Alger, Jr.

Click here to view autographs and letters written by Horatio Alger.

Click here to find out about all of the biographies that have been written about Horatio Alger.