The Biographical Dictionary of America/Alcott, William Alexander

ALCOTT, William Alexander, author, was born at Wolcott, Conn., August 6, 1798. He first attended a district school in winter, and worked on a farm during the summer, and subsequently by teaching he obtained a primary education and means to study medicine at Yale college. Completing his medical course he began to practise and also to write upon hygiene, confining his work chiefly to dietary subjects. With William Woodbridge he prepared school geographies and maps, and edited Annals of Education and Juvenile Rambles, the pioneer juvenile weekly in America. In 1832 he removed to Boston and there published a book entitled the "Young Man's Guide," treating of physiological principles, that was widely read. This success induced him to write other similar books. In all, he wrote about one hundred works, which have been influential in reforming educational methods, and improving the physical and moral well-being of mankind. Among his books are: "The Young Housekeeper," "The House I Live In," "The Library of Health," (6 vols.), "Moral Reform," "My Progress in Error," and "Prize Essay on Tobacco." He died in Auburndale, Mass., March 29, 1859.