Dr. James Hill to speak at annual Napoleon Hill Day at UVa-Wise

Dr. James B. Hill, the grandson of Napoleon Hill, will deliver the keynote address at the annual Napoleon Hill Day at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

The public is invited to attend the event, which begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of All Faiths on Oct. 26.

When Dr. Hill was 12, his grandfather gave him $10, some advice, and an autographed copy of “Think and Grow Rich,” Napoleon Hill’s influential book. He says he spent the money, ignored the advice and lost the book. However, he says his grandfather’s book would later change his life.

Napoleon Hill was born in poverty in a one-room cabin on the Pound River on Oct. 26, 1883. From these humble beginnings, the Wise County native became an advisor to presidents and a best-selling author. During the early 20th century, Hill interviewed the nation's most successful business leaders, including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford. Hill compiled his eight-volume set The Law of Success, a collection of the philosophy of individual achievement. He later condensed his research to compile “Think and Grow Rich,” often called one of the most important motivational books ever written.

Dr. Hill, born in Morgantown, W.Va., is the son of David Hill, the youngest son of Napoleon Hill and Florence Hornor. He graduated from high school in 1966 and spent time in the Merchant Marines until 1969, when he was drafted into service as a private with the United States Marine Corps.

By 1973, he had been promoted five times to the rank of staff sergeant and given the opportunity to attend Vanderbilt University, where he spent 3 years earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. At graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and commenced service in the Marines as a field artillery officer. He later earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the Naval Postgraduate School.

As an officer, he held command twice, led a team of military advisors into Southeast Asia, briefed the Soviet General Staff, served as aide-de-camp to two Marine Corps generals, taught mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy, and served in many critical billets at the battery, battalion, and regimental level. He is certified in scuba, mountain, cold weather, and jungle warfare and is a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College.

In 1995, he retired from the Marine Corps after 26 years of service to study medicine. At the age of 53, he graduated from medical school and started a three-year residency in family medicine. Dr. Hill is now board-certified in family medicine and holds certifications in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted October 13, 2009