William Rathvon wrote "The Devil's Auction" in 1911. In 1908, William Rathvon was called to serve in Mary Baker Eddy's household at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He served as one of Mrs. Eddy's corresponding secretaries until her passing in 1910. He was a member of The Christian Science Board of Lectureship from 1911 until his appointment as Treasurer of The Mother Church, an office he held from June to October 1918. He was a member of The Christian Science Board of Directors from 1918 to 1939.