William Walker Atkinson (1862—1932) was a noted occultist and pioneer of the New Thought Movement. He wrote extensively throughout his lifetime, often using various pseudonyms. He is widely credited with writing The Kybalion and was the founder of the Yogi Publication Society.

Neville Goddard (1905-1972) abandoned his work as a dancer and actor to dedicate himself to a career as a metaphysical writer and lecturer. Neville influenced a range of spiritual thinkers, from Joseph Murphy to Carlos Castaneda.

Florence Scovel Shinn carried out her work in the first half of the 20th century.

Through her teachings and numerous books, she was a profound influence on Louise Hay and other pioneers of personal transformation.

James Allen was born in Leicester, England, in 1864. He took his first job at age 15 to support his family, after his father was murdered while looking for work in America. Allen was employed as a factory knitter and a private secretary until the early 1900s, when he became increasingly known for his motivational writing.

His 1903 work As a Man Thinketh earned him worldwide fame as a prophet of inspirational thinking and influenced a who's-who of self-help writers, including Napoleon Hill.