Alger, << AL juhr, >> Horatio (1832-1899), was an American author of novels for boys. He became famous for his stories about boys who rose from poverty to wealth and fame through hard work, virtuous living, and luck. Alger’s works reinforced an image of the United States as a land where dreams of material prosperity, high social position, and power could come true. The name Horatio Alger is still used to describe fictional and real-life individuals who achieve “rags to riches” success through their own efforts.
Critics now consider Alger’s novels poorly written and dull. But during the latter half of the 1800’s, his stories made him one of the most influential writers in the United States. Alger wrote more than 130 books, which sold about 40 million copies. Many of his boy heroes appeared in series, notably Ragged Dick (begun in 1867), Luck and Pluck (begun in 1869), and Tattered Tom (begun in 1871).
Horatio Alger, Jr., was born on Jan. 13, 1832, in Revere, Massachusetts. From 1866 to 1896, he devoted much of his time and money to helping a home for orphans and runaway boys in New York City. Alger used his experiences with the children as material for his novels. He died on July 18, 1899.
