Author. He was an English author, who was a pioneer writer of "self-help" books. He is credited with at least nine inspirational books as well as collections of poetry. He was one of the first Western authors to embrace Eastern faiths, such as popularizing principles of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Mystical Christianity. Born the son of William and Martha Whalton, his father died in 1879 within days of immigrating to New York City, leaving his uneducated widowed mother with two sons to live in poverty. After leaving school at fifteen, he became a secretary and later after relocating to London, a newspaper reporter and an author of articles for magazines. He found a solid position with the magazine "Herald of the Golden Age" and, by 1902, had his own magazine, "The Epoch." In 1895, he married Lily L. Allen, an Irish author. They were both devout vegetarians. He wrote more than a dozen books of poems and essays. Some of his works include his first book, "From Poverty to Power" in 1901; "Byways of Blessedness" in 1904; and the 1903 mass-publication, "As a Man Thinketh," which has been considered his best work. The same year, he relocated to Devon. He was suffering from tuberculosis, which became his cause of death. His last published book before his death was "The Eight Pillars of Prosperity" in 1911, yet several others were published posthumously. This included "James Allen's Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year," which was released in the United States in 1913. After his death, his wife continued to publish his articles in the magazine, "The Epoch." His books, which are considered classics, are available in the 21st century.
Author. He was an English author, who was a pioneer writer of "self-help" books. He is credited with at least nine inspirational books as well as collections of poetry. He was one of the first Western authors to embrace Eastern faiths, such as popularizing principles of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Mystical Christianity. Born the son of William and Martha Whalton, his father died in 1879 within days of immigrating to New York City, leaving his uneducated widowed mother with two sons to live in poverty. After leaving school at fifteen, he became a secretary and later after relocating to London, a newspaper reporter and an author of articles for magazines. He found a solid position with the magazine "Herald of the Golden Age" and, by 1902, had his own magazine, "The Epoch." In 1895, he married Lily L. Allen, an Irish author. They were both devout vegetarians. He wrote more than a dozen books of poems and essays. Some of his works include his first book, "From Poverty to Power" in 1901; "Byways of Blessedness" in 1904; and the 1903 mass-publication, "As a Man Thinketh," which has been considered his best work. The same year, he relocated to Devon. He was suffering from tuberculosis, which became his cause of death. His last published book before his death was "The Eight Pillars of Prosperity" in 1911, yet several others were published posthumously. This included "James Allen's Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year," which was released in the United States in 1913. After his death, his wife continued to publish his articles in the magazine, "The Epoch." His books, which are considered classics, are available in the 21st century.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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