About
Samuel Smiles, born in Haddington, Scotland, was a physician, journalist, and author. After studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, he turned to journalism and became editor of the Leeds Times. He later worked as secretary for railway companies. His most famous work, Self-Help (1859), advocated self-reliance and hard work, achieving immense international success. He also wrote biographies of engineers and works on character, thrift, and duty. He served as president of the National Provident Institution and declined a knighthood.
* 1812-12-23 — † 1904-04-16
Major works
- Self-Help; with Illustrations of Character and Conduct (1859)essay
- The Life of George Stephenson (1857)biography
- Lives of the Engineers (1861)biography
- Character (1871)essay
- Thrift (1875)essay
Key milestones
- 1832Earned his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh.
- 1859Publication of Self-Help, which sold 20,000 copies in its first year.
- 1866Became president of the National Provident Institution.
Themes
Self-relianceHard workIndustrial progressMoral characterThrift
Sources: archives.collections.ed.ac.uk · alumni.ed.ac.uk · britannica.com