Samuel Smiles Victorian Self-Help Author

'Self-Help' is Foundation of the Modern Self-Improvement Industry

Jul 2, 2009

Samuel Smiles invented self-help book, Wikimedia commons

Samuel Smiles' book, 'Self Help', was a Victorian publishing phenomenon. Published on the same day as 'Origin of Species', in one year it went through five editions.

Smiles, born in Scotland to parents of modest means, was third of eleven children. After studying medicine at Edinburgh University he moved to Leeds, becoming editor of the radical Leeds Times. He later taught apprentices at the Mechanics’ Institute. His lecture notes became the foundation for Self Help.

Samuel Smiles Self Help and Victorian Society

Victorian society's industrial, inventive powers had laid the foundations of rugged individualism. Although Smiles had been a supporter of the radical Chartist movement and parliamentary reform, he had become disillusioned. He began to believe that society was only as good as its individuals - individual self-improvement was essential for a responsible state.

Victorian entrepreneurs exploited their workforces, but there was a growing movement to improve conditions - for welfare provision and education. This would obviously benefit industrialists. A fit, literate workforce meant profitability. It would hopefully prevent revolution. But there was also a sincere attempt to improve the lives of the 'deserving' poor. Smiles' Self Help was a product of its time.

Samuel Smiles and Victorian Individualism

Smiles illustrated his book with biographies not of great heroes or the rich, but achievers who through relentless hard work had never given up on their ambitions. He meant to encourage ordinary working men to better themselves.

Amongst his examples were:

Sir William Herschel (1738-1822). Whilst working as an oboist in a travelling orchestra he became interested in astronomy. After building a reflecting telescope, he discovered Uranus and was appointed astronomer to the English King.

Bernard Palissy (c.1510-1589), an impoverished potter. In order to create his famous enamel ware, he burnt his own furniture. Eventually he was rewarded by the position as potter to the French throne.

Granville Sharp (1735-1813), was a clerk. In his spare time began the anti-slavery movement in Britain. Eventually he got the law changed to ensure slaves setting foot in Britain would be automatically freed.

Surprisingly, Smiles did not include a contemporary who had risen from apprentice gardener to architect of the Crystal Palace, Joseph Paxton, surely a perfect example of Victorian 'self-help'.

However, the message was that anyone, with hard work, frugality and thrift could better themselves in life. Never live beyond your means and never rely on credit. Temperance is essential for success. For Smiles these were the foundations for personal advancement.

Criticism of Samuel Smiles

The book keeps the working man subservient.

It ignores the part chance plays in social/economic advancement.

Smiles judges success by a narrow definition. Some great figures would not be seen as successful in his eyes.

The old and the sick have no place in Self Help.

Few women are represented.

What about natural genius?

Smiles is a typical workaholic. The book never mentions pleasure, family or friends.

Defence of Smiles

Book’s optimism and energy are compelling. Everyone can do something to better themselves.

Introducing women as equals may have deterred men, his main focus.

Smiles was not against the welfare state. He felt all should have a fair start in life. He talks of community responsibility and citizenship.

Smiles’ values of thrift and independence ultimately provide for elderly and sick..

Natural genius is irrelevant without hard work.

National Library of Scotland holds many letters from ordinary people touched by Smiles’ book and attesting to their changed lives.

He died in 1903 aged 92. His funeral procession was second only to Queen Victoria’s. On the shelves of most homes, next to the Bible, was Self Help. It is still in print.

Judge for yourself here.

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