W. D. Wattles

Born in 1860 and dying in 1911, W. D. Wattles was an American author associated with the New Thought movement. He is remembered chiefly for The Science of Getting Rich, a short book that helped shape later success literature and remains his most widely recognized work.

His writing focused on the idea that thought, purpose, and disciplined action could help people change their circumstances. He also wrote on related themes such as health and personal influence, and his work has continued to circulate among readers interested in self-improvement and positive thinking.

Even though biographical details about his life are relatively sparse, his books have had an unusually long afterlife. That lasting appeal comes from his direct, encouraging style and his promise that inner conviction should be paired with practical effort.