Horatio Alger, Jr. Late 19th- century writer (1832-1899). Wrote over 103 stories aimed at boys and young men

His novels about down-and-out [= very poor and without hope] young boys who were able to achieve wealth and success through honesty, hard work, frugality [frugal = careful about spending money], and luck helped establish the dream within popular culture.

Though not considered talented, his influence is considered second only to Mark Twain (1835-1910).

Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller Close to the 20th Century, major industrialist personalities became the new model of the American Dream.

Many of these begin life in the humblest of conditions but later control enormous corporations and fortunes. to

This acquisition of great wealth appeared to demonstrate that if you had talent, intelligence, and a willingness to work extremely hard, you were likely to be a success in life as a result.

TGG : suggestion that the true American Dream, the quest for happiness and fulfillment by reinventing yourself with imagination, tenacity and hard work had been corrupted. (In the Roaring 20’s, people associated happiness with wealth, and the quest for happiness and self improvement became replaced with the quest to simply acquire financial wealth).