Russell H Conwell (1843 - 1925) was an American Baptist minister and founder of Temple University in Philadelphia. He was born in South Worthington, Massachusetts; and buried in the Founder's Garden at Temple University. Acres of Diamonds was originally a speech which it is estimated he delivered over 6,000 times to various audiences throughout the world. It was later published as a book; and remains a classic Self Improvement text. This publication contains the original lecture