The Author: Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832–1899) was one of the most socially influential American authors of the late 19th century. He is famous for pioneering the "rags-to-riches" formula, writing over a hundred juvenile novels about impoverished young boys who rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security through honesty, hard work, and determination (often referred to as the "Horatio Alger myth").
The Story:Tom Temple's Career (originally serialized and published in book form around 1888) follows this exact archetype. Tom is an orphan left in the care of a stingy guardian, Nathan Middleton. When Tom's inheritance is lost, he has to rely on his wits, moral integrity, and work ethic to carve out a successful career for himself.
