The author of Acres of Diamonds (1890) was Russell Herman Conwell (1843-1925), an American Baptist minister, orator, philanthropist, lawyer, and writer. The author was inspired by the story of a Persian farmer who loses his life looking for a diamond mine when his own farm (which he sold to finance his search for a mine) literally contained acres of diamonds. The main message of this motivational classic is that one need not look elsewhere for opportunity, achievement or fortune, because the resources to achieve all good things are already present in one's own community. The narrative has a definite uplifting effect, and it is likely that those who internalize the message and put it into effect would experience benefits.