Horatio Alger

American  

adjective

1. of or characteristic of the heroes in the novels of Horatio Alger, who begin life in poverty and achieve success and wealth through honesty, hard work, and virtuous behavior.

   the Horatio Alger story of his rise in the business world.

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Alger, Horatio, Jr. Cultural  

1. A nineteenth-century American author known for his many books in which poor boys become rich through their earnest attitudes and hard work.

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A true story of spectacular worldly success achieved by someone who started near the bottom is often called a “Horatio Alger story.”

Etymology

Origin of Horatio Alger

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

In the early 20th century’s Gilded Age, the best-selling books weren’t the ones we consider classics, but Horatio Alger’s inspirational pulp.

From Salon

In all, Vance’s story of the Horatio Alger myth made real in Appalachia is actually one where he received much help and assistance along the way.

From Salon

Last October, in New Orleans, Sokol made a direct reference to a pending Supreme Court case while addressing a group of former Horatio Alger scholarship recipients.

From Salon

When he was about 12, he started helping his father, Ralph Mozilo, in his butcher shop, cleaning floors and cutting up chickens, according to his member profile in the Horatio Alger Association.

From New York Times

As the credits roll, a list of its funders appears: among them Mr. Crow and friends from Horatio Alger, including Mr. Sokol and Mr. Washington.

From New York Times