Author: Thomas Mackay

Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) was a Scottish author and government reformer who pioneered in the writing of self-help texts. His works emphasized the importance of individual responsibility and self-improvement, themes that resonated during the Victorian era, a time of rapid societal change and industrial progress. Smiles is best known for his first book, “Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character and Conduct” (1859), which popularized the term “self-help” and made him a household name. “Self-Help” sold over a quarter of a million copies and was widely translated, laying the groundwork for the genre of personal success literature. His other notable works include “Character” (1871), “Thrift” (1875), and “Duty” (1880), which continued to explore the values he considered essential for personal and social prosperity. The book “A Publisher and His Friends” (1891) depicts the life and letters of the publisher John Murray, shedding light on the intellectual culture of the time and providing a window into the relationship between publishers and their literary collaborators. In his writings, Smiles adopted a didactic tone aimed at inspiring the working classes, advocating for diligence, education, and perseverance. His literary style combined narrative with real-life examples, emphasizing character-building anecdotes drawn from the lives of successful individuals. Though his reputation has varied over time, Smiles” influence on the self-improvement movement and the values he championed remains of historical significance in the study of Victorian literature and moral philosophy.