Emma Curtis Hopkins was a prominent American spiritual teacher and author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is often referred to as the "Mother of New Thought" for her influential role in the New Thought movement, which emphasizes the power of the mind and positive thinking in achieving personal and spiritual growth. Born in 1849, Hopkins taught many students who would go on to become significant figures in the New Thought movement, including Ernest Holmes and Charles Fillmore. Her teachings focused on the idea that individuals can create their own reality through their thoughts and beliefs, making her a key figure in the development of modern spiritual practices.