True Riches; Or, Wealth Without Wings (ePub)

Timothy Shay Arthur, known as T. S. Arthur, was a prolific 19th-century American author best recognized for his temperance novels and diligent efforts to promote a lifestyle of sobriety. Born on June 6, 1809, in New York, Arthur's career spanned several decades, wherein he penned an extensive collection of works that revolved around the implications of alcohol, family values, and the moral fabric of society. One of his well-regarded pieces, 'True Riches; Or, Wealth Without Wings,' underscores the ethos that happiness and moral integrity are not predicated upon material wealth but are the outcome of virtuous living and personal contentment. Arthur wielded his pen with a didactic purpose, aiming to inspire his readers toward self-improvement and ethical conduct. Among his over 100 published works, 'Ten Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There' stands as one of his most enduring, serving as a catalyst for the temperance movement of the time and solidifying his stance on the perils of alcohol. His literary style can be characterized as moralistic and sentimental, resonating with his audience by capturing the zeitgeist of middle-class America's concerns and ideals. His works, while less read today, were instrumental in shaping social conversation during the 19th century and reflect the urgency and reformative spirit that characterized much of Arthur's literary agenda. He passed away on March 6, 1885, leaving behind a legacy enveloped in the advocacy of temperance and the pursuit of virtuous living.