Ralph Waldo Trine (1866-1958) was a philosopher, mystic, teacher and author. He was born in Mount Morris, Northern Illinois. In 1891 he was graduated from Carthage College Academy, Knox College. Then he studied at the University of Winsconsin and later at John Hopkins University in the fields of history and political science. He was much interested in social and economic problems, having won a $100 prize for an essay on "The Effects of Human Education on the Prevention of Crime". Then he became special correspondent for The Boston Daily Evening Transcript. He was influenced by the writings of Fitche, Emerson and the Scottish scientist/evangelist, Henry Drummond. He began his writing career in his early 30s until his 70s. His works include: The Greatest Thing Ever Known (1898), What All the World's A-Seeking (1899), In Tune With the Infinite; or, Fullness of Peace, Power, and Plenty (1899), In the Fire of the Heart (1906), This Mystical Life of Ours (1907), Thoughts I Met on the Highway (1912), Along the Sunlit Road (1915) and The Higher Powers of Mind and Spirit (1917).