Bessie A. Stanley

Bessie Anderson Stanley (1858–1932) was an American writer and educator best known for her widely quoted definition of success, beginning “He has achieved success who has lived well…”. The text originated as an essay she wrote for a contest run by *Brown Book Magazine* in 1904 and was later published under the title “Success.” Over time it has often been reproduced as a poem and frequently misattributed to other writers. Stanley’s enduring reputation rests largely on this concise, idealistic statement of values—emphasizing love, laughter, and leaving the world better than one found it—which continues to circulate in anthologies, speeches, and popular culture.