Horatio Alger Jr.(1832 - 1899), wrote over 100 poems, short stories, and novels during his lifetime, which included four adult novels and one adult novella. He gained notoriety when his friendship with 'William Taylor Adams', a boys' author, changed Alger's interest to writing for the juvenile market. His first book for young people, "Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York," was a huge success, securing the author's fame among the youth of America.