 |
Orison Swett MardenAmerican writer
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Orison Swett Marden
- A Turning Point
- Pursuing a Literary Career
- Achieving Success
- A Prolific Writer
- Legacy
Biography of Orison Swett Marden
Orison Swett Marden is an American writer who is rightfully considered a person who changed the lives of millions of people with his books and ideas, which became the foundation of the 'New Thought' movement in the late 19th century in the United States. He was born in modest circumstances, as his parents, Lewis and Martha Marden, lived in the small town of Thornton Gore in New Hampshire. When Orison was only three years old, his 22-year-old mother passed away. Thus, the responsibility for the three children (Orison and his two sisters) fell on the shoulders of their father, who worked as a farmer and hunter. However, this did not last long: four years later, their father died while hunting, and the seven-year-old boy had to earn money to support himself and his sisters. He worked at the market and as a courier all day long, but still couldn't make ends meet.
A Turning Point
At around the same time, he came across a small self-help book written by the popular Scottish author Samuel Smiles. The book, mainly consisting of biographical facts of great people, inspired the young Marden and made him believe that he could change his life, start anew, and become wealthy. By working hard on himself, he soon landed a profitable job and in the late 1860s, he entered the world-renowned Boston University, which he graduated from in 1871. Immediately after, Orison enrolled in Harvard, where he first obtained a master's degree, and later a doctorate. Simultaneously, he studied at the Boston School of Oratory and attended the Andover Theological Seminary. He earned money for his education by working nights at a hotel, and after graduating from Harvard, he already had a starting capital of $20,000.
Pursuing a Literary Career
Marden moved to Rhode Island and purchased a small hotel, which, after a minor renovation, became one of the most profitable resorts in the area. However, the business did not attract Orison as much as a literary career. Above all, he wanted to write books so that young people, like he once was, would not give up in their search for happiness and wealth, but persevere until the end. In the 1880s, he became the owner of a chain of hotels in Nebraska, but soon had to sell them due to serious financial difficulties.
Achieving Success
In 1883, Marden moved to Boston and started working as a hotel manager, hoping to become wealthy once again. His first book, in which he attempted to compile all the essential lessons, facts, and ideas, struck a chord with readers and philosophers who were developing the fundamental ideas of the 'New Thought' movement – a movement that emphasized the importance of metaphysical beliefs. They believed that nothing is impossible for a person, and that they themselves create obstacles on their path. These ideas were further elaborated by Napoleon Hill in his book 'Think and Grow Rich'. A bestseller for over a decade, 'Think and Grow Rich' became the must-read book for every aspiring businessman.
A Prolific Writer
Marden achieved no less popularity with his own books. For example, from 1894 to 1924, he published an average of two books per year. Unlike many other authors, Marden always aimed to entertain and amuse readers. For him, making money was not a difficult path to success but rather a beloved endeavor that also brought profit. He wished the same for all his readers. In 1987, Orison founded his own magazine, 'Success Magazine', which featured biographies of well-known businessmen and advice for young entrepreneurs. However, in 1912, the magazine went bankrupt and closed. It took Marden six years to revive it. The new, more popular edition called 'Success' was available in bookstores and newsstands until the founder's death.
Legacy
In 1924, at the age of 74, Orison Swett Marden passed away in his own home. As the author of about 50 books, he proved through his own example that "it doesn't matter where a person is born, what matters is that the key to wealth is within them from birth, and they simply need to find it."
