Check our brand new site
TheRetroSite , although YouRememberThat will remain for quite some time we expect this new site to be our new home. Click over and create your account on the new mobile friendly and flexible site today!
|
|
 |
In the late decades of the nineteenth century, one of the best selling authors in America was Horatio Alger, Jr. His series of books, aimed at teenage boys, were widely praised for extolling positive virtues. The stories were formulaic: A poor, downtrodden youth would invariably achieve middle-class respectability through hard work, dedication and frugality. Often the hero's rise was aided by an established older member of society whom the youth had helped. Today, the term 'a Horatio Alger story' refers to any rags-to-riches tale. Alger himself led a checkered life. He abruptly left his position as a minister of a Massachusetts church in 1866 after accusations of pederasty with two male teenage parishoners. (This was not widely known until years later.) Unlike his novel characters who saved their pennies for a rainy day, Alger was a spendthrift who squandered his considerable earnings. He died virtually penniless in the care of his sister in 1899.
Tags:
Horatio
Alger
author
Added: 20th October 2009
Views: 1275
Rating: 
Posted By: Lava1964 |
 
|
 |
He wrote all those novels about the virtues or working hard, and he died broke. Obiviously he didn't practice what he wrote.
|
 |
Quite the quasquicentennial or sesquicentennial author. Why is he admired? Perhaps because he chose to reflect on that which we admire in each individual or the traits we admire in those who strive to improve their lot in life regardless of the adversities. Why? Evidently those are questions that he might best answer. The question remains, why was and is he admired?
|
Add A Comment
Sorry, guests can't post comments!
|
|
Sponsored Links