Elizabeth Towne

Born Elizabeth Jones Towne in Oregon in 1865, she became an American writer, editor, and publisher closely associated with the New Thought and self-help movements. She is especially remembered for publishing The Nautilus, a widely read magazine that helped bring metaphysical and motivational writing to a broad audience.

Alongside her own books and essays, she built a publishing platform that supported other voices in the movement. Her writing often focused on confidence, success, health, marriage, and the idea that thought could help shape a person’s life.

Towne remained active in New Thought circles for many years and is now remembered as one of the movement’s key popularizers. For listeners exploring early inspirational writing, she stands out as a practical, energetic figure who helped turn spiritual optimism into something readable, accessible, and everyday.