He wrote facts, which he had proven by practice.

James Allen ( 1864 – 1912) was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass produced since its publication in 1903. It has been a source of inspiration to motivational and self-help authors.

Born in Leicester, England, into a working-class family, Allen was the elder of three brothers. His mother, Martha (whose surname was Whalton or Whotton), could neither read nor write while his father, William, was a factory Framework Knitter. In 1879, following a downturn in the textile trade of central England, Allen's father traveled alone to America to find work and establish a new home for the family. Within two days of arriving his father was pronounced dead at New York City Hospital, believed to be a case of robbery and murder. At age 15, with the family now facing economic disaster, Allen was forced to leave school and find work.

The murder of his father caused Allen to leave school and begin work. James worked as framework knitter as his father did. At this time they lived at 75 Charnwood Street in Leicester.

Although working many hours, Allen continued to read and study. It was around this time that he began reading Shakespeare and at about age 24 he read The Light of Asia. The Light of Asia.acted as spiritual awakener for Allen and started him on his path toward “perfect peace”. Allen’s parents are thought to be Methodists. It is clear that Allen strayed from his parent’s religion, drawing inspiration from many religions and committing to no denomination.  

Lily Louisa Oram was born on December 30^th, 1867 at Burrishoole, Eire to John and Jane Oram (nee Talbot). Allen met Lily in 1893 when he was 29. They married on May 22^nd, 1895 at the Holy Cross Church in Bampfylde, Somerset, England, witnessed by Lily’s parents. They were both devout vegetarians.

Allen began to work for Sidney H. Beard as a private secretary during this time. Allen’s daughter Nora was born on September 10^th 1896 at 21 Littlefield Villas, Weymouth, Dorset. Around this time, Allen was living in Bath, England with his wife Lily and daughter Nora.
In 1901, when Allen was 37, he wrote his first book, From Poverty to Power. In 1902 he wrote his second book, As a Man Thinketh. Although this would be Allen’s most successful book, it is said that he felt it to be unsatisfactory and not worthy of print. It was his wife Lily who convinced him to publish it. Allen wrote 19 books in all.

Allen learned about publishing and running a magazine from his time working for Sidney Beard[1] on Beard’s magazine The Herald of the Golden Age and in 1902, Allen started his own magazine titled The Light of Reason. Each issue of Allen’s magazine contained announcements, an editorial written by Allen on a different subject each month, and many articles, poems, and quotes written by popular authors of the day and even local, unheard of authors. In 1905, Allen organized his magazine subscribers into groups (called “The Brotherhood”) that would meet regularly and reported on their meetings each month in his magazine under the heading “Our Groups and Their Work”. Allen and his wife would often travel to the group meetings to give speeches and read articles. The name of the magazine was later changed to “The Epoch”. Authors such as Ralph Waldo Trine, Charles Brodie Patterson, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and Orison Swett Marden were included.
[1] The Order of the Golden Age was conceptualised in 1881 by Rev. H.J. Williams (1838 -1919) and constituted a year later. However, a lack of funds precluded the development of a society until 1895. Sidney H. Beard (1862 - 1938) was one of several campaigners to meet with Rev. Williams in order to actualise the concept of a religious food reform organisation. Over a thirty year period, Beard was to become the chief toiler and an inspirational force within The Order whilst editing The Herald of the Golden Age almost entirely, throughout its period of publication between January 1896 and October 1918.

Allen moved his family to 33 Broad Park Avenue, Ilfracombe, England to a house they called “Bryngoleu”, or “Hill of Light.” Allen eventually took over full editorial control of his magazine and moved its operation to his house. It was also here where Allen penned most of his works. They also ran their home as a bed and breakfast and often invited subscribers to their magazine to stay at their home.
Some of Allen's favorite writings, and those he quoted often, include the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Emerson, the Bible, Buddha, Whitman, Trine, and Lao-Tze.

Each morning Allen would climb The Cairn in Ilfracombe where he would go to reflect and meditate. He would then return home and write and until midday. In the afternoons, he enjoyed gardening and playing croquet. The James Allen Library

"He never wrote theories, or for the sake of writing; but he wrote when he had a message, and it became a message only when he had lived it out in his own life, and knew that it was good. Thus he wrote facts, which he had proven by practice."

About James Allen