The Rise and Fall of Horatio Alger: The Cash Boy Who Embodied the American Dream

The Early Years

Horatio Alger Jr. was born in Revere, Massachusetts, on January 13, 1832. His father, Horatio Alger Sr., was a Unitarian minister and his mother, Olive Augusta Fenno, was a descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Alger's early childhood was happy and carefree, but his life took a tragic turn when his father died suddenly in 1848, when Alger was just 16 years old.

The Cash Boy

by Horatio Alger

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After his father's death, Alger was forced to leave school and go to work to help support his family. He found a job as a clerk in a dry goods store, but he hated the work and dreamed of becoming a writer. In 1852, Alger published his first short story in a local newspaper, and in 1857, he published his first novel, Ragged Dick.

The Alger Myth

Ragged Dick was a huge success, and it launched Alger's career as a writer of juvenile fiction. Alger's novels typically featured poor but honest boys who, through hard work and determination, rise to success. These novels were immensely popular, and they helped to create the "Alger myth," the belief that anyone can achieve success in America if they are willing to work hard.

Alger's novels were not only popular, but they were also influential. They helped to shape the values of a generation of Americans, and they inspired countless young people to believe that they could achieve anything they set their minds to.

The Later Years

Alger continued to write novels throughout his life, and he published over 100 books in total. He also wrote short stories, poems, and plays. In 1875, he founded the Horatio Alger Association, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to underprivileged children.

Alger died in South Natick, Massachusetts, on July 18, 1899. He was 67 years old.

The Legacy of Horatio Alger

Horatio Alger was one of the most popular and influential writers of the 19th century. His novels helped to define the American Dream, and they continue to inspire people today. Alger's legacy is complex, however. He has been criticized for his unrealistic portrayal of poverty and for his promotion of individualism. Nevertheless, Alger's novels remain an important part of American literature, and they continue to be read and enjoyed by people of all ages.

Horatio Alger was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant writer who helped to shape the values of a generation of Americans, but he was also a flawed man who struggled with personal and financial problems. Alger's legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential writers of his time.

The Cash Boy

by Horatio Alger

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	164 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	66 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE