The author, Havilah Squires, was originally born in Canada around 1857 and later immigrated to Chicago. She joined the Theosophical Society and also served as the first secretary of the Social Economic Club of Chicago. Later she moved to Butte, Montana and opened a branch there where she gave regular lectures on Theosophy and New Thought. Some of the topics included "What is New Thought?," "Theosophy," "The Story of the Great War," "Use and Abuse of Psychic Powers," "The Parables," "a discussion of the book Balthazar, the Magus," and "Character Building." Her publications include the 28 page pamphlet Criminal Reform (Chicago: Purdy Publication Company) and the 96 page Vita: The prolongation of Life and the Perpetuation of Youth (Chicago: Purdy Publication Company). She moved to San Diego around 1905 and married David W. Trotter on October 1, 1907. There are no records of where or when she died currently available.