Russell Conwell (1843-1925) was an American Baptist minister, author, and lecturer who is best known for his famous lecture "Acres of Diamonds" (1890). Born in South Worthington, Massachusetts, Conwell served as a Union Army captain during the American Civil War before attending Yale University and later the University of Rochester, where he earned a law degree.

Conwell became a Baptist minister in 1880 and served as the pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He was also an active lecturer and writer, and he used his platform to advocate for education, hard work, and self-improvement.

Russell Conwell was born on February 15, 1843, in South Worthington, Massachusetts. He grew up on a farm and attended Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy before serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, Conwell attended Yale University and then the University of Rochester, where he earned a law degree. In 1876, Conwell was ordained as a Baptist minister and became the pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He was known for his fiery sermons and his ability to connect with his congregation.

In addition to his work as a pastor, Conwell was also a prolific author and lecturer. He wrote several books on topics such as self-improvement, success, and the value of hard work. He also traveled extensively, giving lectures on a wide range of topics to audiences across the country. In 1884, Conwell founded the Samaritan Hospital in Philadelphia, which provided medical care to the city's poor and underserved populations. He later founded Temple University, which began as a night school for working-class students and has since grown into a major research university.

Acres of Diamonds