Oliver Napoleon Hill was born on October 26, 1883, in Pound, Virginia. He became an American self-help author whose works focused on principles for achieving success, emphasizing the importance of expectations in improving one's life. Hill is best known for his book Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, which became one of the best-selling self-help books of all time. His writings promoted the idea that fervid expectations are essential to personal improvement and success. Hill died on November 8, 1970, in Greenville, South Carolina.