Horatio Algern.
/həˌreɪʃ(ɪ)əʊ ˈaldʒə/, U.S. /həˌreɪʃ(i)oʊ ˈældʒər/ Chiefly U.S.
attributive. Resembling the protagonist of a novel by Horatio Alger, typically a person who rises from poverty or low status to a position of wealth, success, or public recognition due to hard work or good character. Also: characteristic or reminiscent of such a novel.
ΚΠ
1922 Insurance Field 2 June 3 The race of Horatio Alger boys is gone.
1942 C. Porter Crisis in Philippines iii. 43 Not all of these people came from the wealthy landed class; there are many Horatio Alger stories in the islands.
1970 Elk Grove (Illinois) Herald 17 Sept. i. 7/1 In this cynical age he is the unashamed Horatio Alger hero. Tried and true. Luck and pluck. Strive and succeed.
1994 J. R. Feagin & M. P. Sikes Living with Racism i. 34 Black Americans..can achieve the rags-to-riches Horatio Alger dream if they try hard enough.
2005 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 3 Apr. 14 Young Rodney Copperbottom..is the film's energetic young hero. A Horatio Alger type.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1922