Florence Scovel Shinn

Florence Scovel Shinn(1871-1940)

WHO WAS FLORENCE SCOVEL SHINN?...... Ms. Shinn was an artist and a metaphysics teacher in New York in the early part of the 20th century. Her books are truly incredible. They are relatively short, but they are profound. In her books she shows that we can enjoy a winning streak of health, prosperity, and happiness. She shares real-life stories with us from her many clients to illustrate how positive attitudes and affirmations invariably succeed in making one a "winner" in life--able to control life's conditions and release abundance through a knowledge of spiritual law. Florence Shinn is one of last century's most popular Success teachers. Apparently, she had quite a following in her "heyday" too, for her lectures were well attended and her books were popular not only in America, but also abroad.

Florence Scovel was born Septemer 24, 1871, in Camden, New Jersey. Her mother was the former Emily Hopkinson of Pennsylvania. Her father was Alden Cortlandt Scovel, and he practiced law in Camden. Besides Florence there was an older daughter and younger son. Florence was educated in Philadelphia at the Friends Central School and studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1889 to 1897. It was there that she met her future husband, Everett Shinn (1876 - 1953), who was a fairly celebrated painter of impressionistic canvases and realistic murals. Although Florence was educated at the art Academy, her pen and ink drawings are the result of her natural talent and not technical training.

Shortly after Florence's graduation from the Academy, she and Everett were married. The Shinns moved to New York City where they pursued separate careers in art. Everett was interested in the theatre and not only designed and painted for it but built a small theatre in the courtyard behind their studio home at 112 Waverly Place, near Washington Square. He organised the Waverly Players and wrote three plays in each of which Florence played the title role.

Before World War one she was an illustrator of popular children's literature in magazines and books. In 1912, after fourteen years of marriage, Everett requested a divorce.

In 1925, having been unable to find a publisher for "The Game of Life and How to Play It" she published it herself. "Your Word is Your Wand" was published in 1928 and "The Secret Door to Success" was published in 1940 shortly before her death on October 17, 1940. The "Power of the Spoken Word" is a compendium of her notes, gathered by a student and published postumously in 1945.

Florence Scovel Shinn had the ability to explain her success principles and how they work in an entertaining and easy-to-read style. By sharing real-life stories she illustrates how positive attitudes and affirmations invariably succeed in making one a "winner" in life, able to control life's conditions and release abundance through a knowledge of spiritual law.

Ms. Shinn passed on to a broader sphere in the "game of life" in 1940, but through her artistry and inspired writings has left an indelible mark on the canvas of life on planet earth which will live on to broaden the horizons of men and women the world over for generations to come.