Elizabeth Jones Towne (May 11, 1865 – June 1, 1960) was an influential writer, editor, and publisher in the

New Thought The New Thought movement (also Higher Thought) is a spiritual movement that coalesced in the United States in the early 19th century. New Thought was seen by its adherents as succeeding "ancient thought", accumulated wisdom and philosophy from ...

and

self-help Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement''APA Dictionary of Physicology'', 1st ed., Gary R. VandenBos, ed., Washington: American Psychological Association, 2007.—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a subst ...

movements.

Early life

Elizabeth Jones was born in Oregon, the daughter of John Halsey Jones. She first married at age 14, to Joseph Holt Struble. They had two children, Catherine and Chester. They divorced in 1900. She married William E. Towne and relocated to

Holyoke, Massachusetts Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,238. Located north of Springfield ...

that same year.

Career

Both Elizabeth Towne and her second husband were for many years associated with the

International New Thought Alliance The International New Thought Alliance (INTA) is an umbrella organization for New Thought adherents "dedicated to serving the New Thought Movement’s various branches, organizations and individuals".

(INTA), and served on its board in various capacities. She served as the president of INTA in 1924. In 1926 she ran for and successfully obtained a seat on the board of aldermen, the predecessor of Holyoke's city council. She would be the first woman to do so in Holyoke, and the first married woman to obtain a position on a board of aldermen in the state, and in 1928, while ultimately losing to her opponents, became the first woman in the city to run for the office of mayor. Towne was the founder and publisher of ''

Nautilus The nautilus (, ) is a pelagic marine mollusc of the cephalopod family Nautilidae. The nautilus is the sole extant family of the superfamily Nautilaceae and of its smaller but near equal suborder, Nautilina. It comprises six living species in t ...

'' Magazine, a journal of the

New Thought Movement The New Thought movement (also Higher Thought) is a spiritual movement that coalesced in the United States in the early 19th century. New Thought was seen by its adherents as succeeding "ancient thought", accumulated wisdom and philosophy from ...

that ran from 1898 through 1953, when she brought it to a close due to her advancing age (she was 88 years old at the time). She also operated the Elizabeth Towne Company, which published an extensive list of New Thought,

metaphysical Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality, the first principles of being, identity and change, space and time, causality, necessity, and possibility. It includes questions about the nature of conscio ...

, self-help, and

self-improvement Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement''APA Dictionary of Physicology'', 1st ed., Gary R. VandenBos, ed., Washington: American Psychological Association, 2007.—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a subst ...

books by herself and writers such as

William Walker Atkinson William Walker Atkinson (December 5, 1862 – November 22, 1932) was an attorney, merchant, publisher, and author, as well as an occultist and an American pioneer of the New Thought movement. He is the author of the pseudonymous works attribut ...

, Kate Atkinson Boehme,

Paul Ellsworth Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) * Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...

Orison Swett Marden Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924) was an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded ''SUCCESS'' magazine in 1897. His writings discuss common-sense principles and virtues that make for a well-rou ...

Edwin Markham Edwin Markham (born Charles Edward Anson Markham; April 23, 1852 – March 7, 1940) was an American poet. From 1923 to 1931 he was Poet Laureate of Oregon. Life Edwin Markham was born in Oregon City, Oregon, and was the youngest of 10 children; ...

, Clara Chamberlain McLean,

Helen Rhodes-Wallace Helen may refer to: People * Helen of Troy, in Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world * Helen (actress) (born 1938), Indian actress * Helen (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) Places * Helen, ...

, William Towne, and Wallace Wattles. In 2015, her book ''Just How To Wake The Solar Plexus'' was narrated by

Hillary Hawkins Hillary Hawkins is an American actress. She introduced shows such as ''Dora the Explorer'', '' Bob the Builder'', and '' Little Bill'' on TV everyday as Robyn, Host of the Nick Jr. block. She also was a Host for Radio Disney. Career Early role ...

and published in audiobook form.

Influence

The title page of Towne's book ''The Life Power and How to Use it'' is shown in the opening sequence of the 2006 movie '' The Secret'', and the film presents many of the ideas that she promoted, along with those of Wallace Wattles and

Bibliography

In addition to the many articles and editorials she wrote for ''

'' Magazine during its 55-year history, books by Elizabeth Towne include: *''Experiences in Self-Healing'' *''Fifteen Lessons in New Thought or Lessons in Living'' *''Happiness And Marriage'' *''Health Through New Thought and Fasting'' (with Wallace Wattles) *''How to Grow Success'' (1904) *''How to Use New Thought in Home Life'' *''Lessons in Living'' *''The Life Power and How to Use It'' *''Joy Philosophy'' *''Just How to Concentrate'' *''Just How to Cook Meals Without Meat'' *''Just How to Train Children and Parents'' *''Just How to Wake the Solar Plexus'' Elizabeth Towne Co. 1906.; repr. 1926. *''Practical Methods for Self-Development: Spiritual, Mental, Physical'' *''You and Your Forces'' *''Your Character'' (reprinted as ''How to Read Character'')

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Towne, Elizabeth 1865 births 1960 deaths American magazine publishers (people) New Thought writers Writers from Holyoke, Massachusetts Writers from Portland, Oregon 20th-century American women writers