Wallace Wattles
Born 1860 · Age 165
American New Thought writer, author of The Science of Getting Rich (1910); influential in self-help and Law of Attraction movements.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth of Wallace Delois Wattles
Wallace D. Wattles was born in the United States (Illinois) in 1860.
Recorded as farm labourer in 1880 US Census
1880 Federal Census shows Wattles living with his parents on a farm in Nunda Township, McHenry County, Illinois, working as a farm laborer; parents listed as born in New York.
Reported ejection from Methodist Church (approx.)
Florence Wattles reported her father once held a position in the Methodist Church but was ejected for his 'heresy' (no exact date given; placed circa 1895 based on timeline).
Attended convention of reformers; met George D. Herron
In Chicago Wattles attended a 'convention of reformers' and met Christian Socialist George Davis Herron, an event that turned him toward Christian Socialism and social visionary ideas.
Began engagement with New Thought community in Chicago
As a Midwesterner Wattles traveled to Chicago to encounter New Thought leaders (e.g., Emma Curtis Hopkins, William Walker Atkinson) and deepen his study of New Thought principles.
Gave 'Sunday night lectures' in Indiana
Wattles delivered regular Sunday night lectures in Indiana, spreading New Thought ideas locally.
Recommended study of Hegel and Emerson
Wattles studied and recommended Hegel and Emerson to readers as foundational to his 'monistic theory of the cosmos' and New Thought worldview.
Published 'Scientific Marriage' (book)
Wattles published the book Scientific Marriage (Marion, Indiana) — one of his early published works.
Began practicing and teaching creative visualization
Wattles practiced 'forming a mental picture' (creative visualization) and taught readers to test his theories on themselves; he emphasized visualization as a core technique.
Published 'Jesus, the Man and His Work' (pamphlet/speech)
Wattles published a long speech turned pamphlet, forming the basis of A New Christ; this work examined Christianity from a Socialist perspective.
Published 'The New Science of Living and Healing' (book)
Wattles published The New Science of Living and Healing (Holyoke, Mass.; later republished as Health Through New Thought and Fasting in 1924).
Advocated alternate-diet and fasting theories
Wattles publicly endorsed contemporary diet theories (Horace Fletcher's 'Great Masticator' and Edward H. Dewey's 'No-Breakfast Plan') and advocated fasting for spiritual and physical benefits.
Ran for U.S. Congress as Socialist Party candidate
Wattles ran as a Socialist Party of America candidate in the Eighth Congressional District (1908 election); he did not win.
Published short story 'Perpetual Youth' (in The Cavalier)
Wattles published the early science-fiction story 'Perpetual Youth' in The Cavalier.
Published 'Making the Man Who Can' (book)
Wattles published Making the Man Who Can (Holyoke, Mass.); the work was later republished as How to Promote Yourself (1914).
Serialized 'What Is Truth?' in The Nautilus
'What Is Truth?' appeared serialized in The Nautilus magazine (edited and published by Elizabeth Towne). Wattles was a frequent contributor to The Nautilus.
Reportedly 'made lots of money' in last three years
Florence Wattles later wrote that in the last three years before his death (circa 1907–1910) he 'made lots of money' and had good health except 'extreme frailty'.
Published 'The Science of Getting Rich' (best-known book)
Wattles published The Science of Getting Rich (Holyoke, Mass.; Elizabeth Towne) setting out his New Thought method for acquiring wealth; became his best-known work.
Published 'The Science of Being Well'
Wattles published The Science of Being Well (Holyoke, Mass.; Elizabeth Towne), part of his 'Science of' trilogy.
Published novel 'Hell-fire Harrison'
Wattles published Hell-fire Harrison, illustrated by Frank T. Merrill, via L. C. Page & Co.
Ran for Prosecuting Attorney, Madison County, IN (Socialist)
Wattles again ran as a Socialist candidate (1910) — for the office of Prosecuting Attorney for the Madison County, Indiana 50th court district; he did not win.
Regular contributor to The Nautilus magazine
During the early 1900s Wattles was a frequent contributor to The Nautilus; editor/publisher Elizabeth Towne carried Wattles' articles 'in almost every issue'.
Name spelled as 'Wattles' on 1910 census; family recorded
1910 census shows Wallace married to Abbie (age 47) with three children: Florence (22), Russell H. (27), Agnes (16); his mother Mary A. Wattles (79) lived with them. The record shows the surname as 'Wattles' (changed from Walters).
Daughter Florence's letter published in The Nautilus
Shortly after his death Florence A. Wattles published a letter in Nautilus (edited by Elizabeth Towne) describing her father's life, beliefs, and last years.
Publication: 'The Science of Being Great' (posthumous)
The Science of Being Great was published in 1911 (listed in bibliographies as 1911); associated with Wattles' 'Science of' trilogy; publication may have been posthumous or immediately prior to death.
Death in Ruskin, Tennessee
Wattles died on February 7, 1911, in Ruskin, Tennessee. His body was transported to Elwood, Indiana for burial. Businesses in Elwood closed for two hours during his funeral.
Florence Wattles serves as Socialist Party delegate (reflecting legacy)
Florence Wattles (his daughter) was a delegate to the Socialist Party National Committee in 1912 — showing the continuation of Wattles' socialist influence in his family after his death.
Florence Wattles remains active in Socialist politics (delegate again)
Florence Wattles appears on lists as a delegate to the Socialist Party National Committee in 1915, continuing the family's political engagement.
Posthumous reprint: 'Financial Success Through Creative Thought' (republish of Getting Rich)
The Science of Getting Rich was republished posthumously in 1915 under the title Financial Success Through Creative Thought.
Republished 'Health Through New Thought and Fasting'
The New Science of Living and Healing was republished in 1924 as Health Through New Thought and Fasting (Elizabeth Towne).
Works preserved in public-domain archives
Wattles' works (e.g., The Science of Being Well, The Science of Getting Rich) are available in Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive and LibriVox, ensuring continued readership.
Inspiration for 'The Secret' credited to Wattles
Rhonda Byrne told Newsweek that exposure to Wattles' The Science of Getting Rich inspired the 2006 film/book The Secret; this re-popularized Wattles' ideas for modern audiences.
Media coverage links Wattles to modern self-help
Newsweek and other outlets published pieces linking Wattles to The Secret and tracing his influence on the law-of-attraction/self-help movement.
Key Achievement Ages
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