In case you let your subscription to Student and Schoolmate expire, you may not be familiar with the serialized tales of a homeless orphan boy living on the streets of New York shining shoes to buy food. But through the power of being white, attractive, charming, witty, and a strong swimmer, he’s able to overcome and become a middle class Unitarian.
Many people reference a “Horatio Alger” story, but few actually read his works. And perhaps for good reason. They’re dated and a bit dull, though not completely without charm. In fact, they’ve got lots of charm if you just don’t dig too deep.
Our dive into Dick was suggested by our first-time guest Jane Espenson, who’s written for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, and much more.
Wrong Napoleon.
Yeah, turns out I can’t read Wikipedia articles. Sorry!
I hate this guy even more now:
“Child sexual abuse[edit]Early in 1866 a church committee of men was formed to investigate reports of Alger having sexually molested boys. Church officials reported to the hierarchy in Boston that Alger had been charged with “the abominable and revolting crime of gross familiarity with boys”.[33] Alger denied nothing, admitted he had been imprudent, considered his association with the church dissolved, and left town. Alger sent Unitarian officials in Boston a letter of remorse, and his father assured them his son would never seek another post in the church. Officials were satisfied and decided no further action would be taken.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wi…