Net Worth Of Gertrude Atherton: 2 Million Genius To Wealth

Gertrude Atherton, an American novelist born on October 30, 1857, in San Francisco, is renowned for her bold, independent heroines and vivid storytelling. Despite a challenging personal life, including a troubled marriage and losing a child, she carved out a successful literary career, producing over 40 novels. Notable works like “The Conqueror” and “Black Oxen” garnered critical acclaim and popular success. The net Worth Of Gertrude Atherton at the time of her death on June 14, 1948, was $2 million.

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Net Worth Of Gertrude Atherton

Gertrude Atherton was born on October 30, 1857, in San Francisco, Net Worth Of Gertrude Atherton was $2 million at the time of her death on June 14, 1948. This significant wealth was accumulated through her successful literary career. She wrote more than 40 novels, many of which were best-sellers. Her ability to vividly depict strong, independent women in her stories contributed to her financial success. Despite personal hardships, such as a challenging marriage and the loss of a child, Atherton’s literary talents shone through, making her one of the wealthiest authors of her time.

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Sources of Her Wealth

The primary source of Gertrude Atherton’s wealth was her prolific writing career. Her novel “The Conqueror,” a fictional biography of Alexander Hamilton, received critical acclaim and became a best-seller, significantly boosting her earnings. Another major success was “Black Oxen,” based on her experience with hormone treatments, which also became a best-seller. Atherton’s consistent output of novels, the prevalent themes of strong-willed women, and vivid descriptions ensured a steady income stream. Her travels to New York City, England, and continental Europe provided rich material for her novels, further enhancing their appeal and profitability.

Early Life and Family Background

Gertrude Atherton was born in San Francisco, California, on October 30, 1857. Her parents were Thomas L. Horn, a businessman with a tobacco and cigar business from Connecticut, and Gertrude Franklin Horn, a Southern belle from New Orleans. Atherton’s parents had a difficult marriage that ended in divorce when she was two years old. After the divorce, she lived in relative wealth until both parents remarried. Her father married again and had other children, while her mother married a younger man.

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Childhood and Early Influences

After her parents’ divorce, Gertrude Atherton spent much of her childhood on her maternal grandfather’s ranch in San Jose, California. Her grandfather, Stephen Franklin, was a relative of Benjamin Franklin and worked as a newspaper editor and secretary of the Bank of California. He played a significant role in Atherton’s early life, introducing her to serious literature. She spent hours in her grandfather’s library, greatly influencing her later work. Despite the stern discipline from her grandfather, this period was crucial in shaping her literary interests and ambitions.

Education and Formative Years

Gertrude Atherton’s formal education began at St. Mary’s Hall school in Benicia, California. Later, she attended the Sayre Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, for a year. Her time at Sayre Institute was cut short due to concerns about her health, as it was thought she might have tuberculosis. Atherton did not complete her education but returned home instead. Despite this, she was well-read and began writing at 14. Her literary journey truly began in her teenage years, fueled by her extensive reading and the influences of her grandfather’s library.

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Career Beginnings and Literary Achievements

Gertrude Atherton’s early career was marked by significant struggles. She faced opposition from her husband, George H.B. Atherton, who did not support her writing ambitions. Despite this, she secretly wrote her first novel, “The Randolphs of Redwoods,” based on a local society scandal. This work was published serially in the San Francisco Argonaut in 1882, creating a family scandal due to its content. Her husband’s death in 1887 liberated her to pursue writing more freely. Atherton then moved to New York City and later traveled to Europe, gathering material and experiences that would enrich her writing.

Major Works and Their Impact

Gertrude Atherton wrote over 40 novels, many of which received critical acclaim and commercial success. Her notable works include “The Conqueror” (1902), a fictional biography of Alexander Hamilton, which was well-researched and widely praised. Another significant success was “Black Oxen” (1923), a novel about a woman revitalized by hormone treatments inspired by Atherton’s personal experiences. This novel became a best-seller, cemented her reputation as a bold and innovative writer. These successes brought her critical acclaim and significantly contributed to her financial stability.

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Conclusion

The net Worth Of Gertrude Atherton is $2 million, amassed through her illustrious literary career, which underscores her significant impact on American literature. Overcoming personal challenges, including a difficult marriage and the loss of a child, Atherton’s dedication to writing produced over 40 novels that explored themes of independence and societal norms. Her significant works like “The Conqueror” and “Black Oxen” garnered critical acclaim and secured her financial stability. Atherton’s ability to weave compelling narratives with vivid descriptions and bold characters ensured her legacy as a trailblazer in literature, leaving a lasting imprint on readers and scholars alike.