Wallace Delois Wattles (1860-1911) was an American author who never gained much esteem during his lifetime, but whose writings – including The Science of Getting Rich and The Science of Being Well – have survived over 100 years and provided inspiration for the 2006 film The Secret.

He had an untimely death in 1911 at the age of 51 – the same year he published his two major books and was running for public office – but according to accounts, he lived a healthy and wealthy life. On the day of his funeral, all of the businesses in his hometown of Elwood, Indiana closed for two hours in respect for the accomplished Mr. Wattles.