Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904

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Samuel Smiles was an author and reformer, probably best known for his pioneering self-help books. Born in Haddington, Scotland, he was apprenticed to a doctor, and continued his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh. He practiced medicine for several years, supplementing his income by lecturing and writing articles, eventually moving to Leeds and becoming the editor of the radical Leeds Times. He also worked as a railroad secretary, and continued to write numerous articles on reform, gradually softening his radical tone and adopting a more liberal view. He later wrote biographies, including Lives of the Engineers, but is best known for the wildly popular and groundbreaking work Self-help, essentially inventing the genre of self-improvement books.

From the description of Samuel Smiles letter to William White, 1868 March 19. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 144876248

Epithet: OBE, FRS, Professor of Chemistry in the University of London, grandson of Samuel Smiles

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000862.0x00020a

Scottish physician, businessman and author.

From the description of Letter to Perry Mason & Co., 1883 January 4. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 48926771

Scottish biographical author.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (2) : [London], to Harper & Brothers, 1868 Apr. 7-1868 May 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270664268

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870. Autograph letter signed : London, to Samuel Smiles, 1862 Nov. 5 ("Guy Faux day"). Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Clarke, Hans Thacher, 1887-1972. Papers, ca. 1903-1973. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904,. Autograph letter signed from Samuel Smiles, West Bank, Blackheath, to D. Jerdan, Esq. [manuscript], 1865 April 21. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Bennoch, Francis, 1812-1890. Papers, 1839-1890. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letters signed (2) : [London], to Harper & Brothers, 1868 Apr. 7-1868 May 16. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Vols. V (ff. 181).William Hartree, grandson of Samuel Smiles: Correspondence as administrator of Samuel Smiles's estate of William Hartree: 1904-1906: Partly signed, printed, and copies.includes:ff. 1-103, passim Samuel Smiles, OBE; FRS; Professor ... British Library
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Samuel Smiles papers, 1785-1949 (inclusive), [microform]. Yale University Library
referencedIn SMILES SAMUEL 1812-1904 WRITER: Manuscript of, Josiah Wedgwood, F.R.S. His personal history, 1894 British library of political and economic science
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letter signed : London, to Messrs. Blackie, publishers, 1875 Feb. 16. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letter signed : London, to Mr. A. Williams, 1897 Nov. 26. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Bennoch, Francis, 1812-1890. Correspondence, 1838-1886. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Letter to [?]. London, Eng. 1862 Dec. 27. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel. TR 1788 Samuel Smiles Letter. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Letter to James Fields. Blackheath S.E. 1800 Sept. 19. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letter signed : London, to J.E. Jones, 1872 Oct. 14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letter signed : London, to Sydney Smith, 1887 Sept. 26. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Japanese prints illustrating Samuel Smiles' Self help. Nolan, Norton & Company, Incorporated
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Autograph letter signed : London, to J. Mitchell, 1864 Jan. 9. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Samuel Smiles letter to William White, 1868 March 19. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn SMILES SAMUEL 1812-1904 WRITER, 1870 British library of political and economic science
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Letters. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
referencedIn Beerbohm, Max, Sir, 1872-1956. Great Britain Papers (literary), 1806-1936. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn SMILES SAMUEL 1812-1904 WRITER, 1871 British library of political and economic science
creatorOf Smiles, Samuel, 1812-1904. Letter to Perry Mason & Co., 1883 January 4. University of Virginia. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Bennoch, Francis, 1812-1890. person
associatedWith Blackie, corporateBody
associatedWith Clarke, Hans Thacher, 1887-1972. person
associatedWith De Gregorio, Antonio, marchese, 1855-1930. person
associatedWith Dibner, Bern, person
associatedWith Edward, Thomas, 1814-1886. person
associatedWith Fields, James Thomas, 1817-1881, person
associatedWith Harper & Brothers, corporateBody
correspondedWith Jerdan, D., fl. 1865 person
associatedWith Jones, J. E., person
associatedWith Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870. person
associatedWith Mitchell, J., person
associatedWith Perry Mason & Co, corporateBody
associatedWith Ray, Gordon Norton, 1915- person
associatedWith Reid, George, 1841-1913. person
associatedWith Smiles family. family
associatedWith Smith, Sydney, person
associatedWith White, William, 1831 or 2-1890, person
associatedWith Williams, A., Mr, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Great Britain
Subject
Families
Male authors, English
Occupation
Authors
Activity

Person

Birth 1812-12-23

Death 1904-04-16

Britons

English

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