Dale Carnegie
Born 1888 · Age 138
American writer, lecturer, and pioneer of public speaking and self-improvement; author of How to Win Friends and Influence People and founder of the Dale Carnegie training organization.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born on family farm in Maryville, Missouri
Born Dale Harbison Carnagey on a farm near Maryville, Missouri, to James William Carnagey and Amanda Elizabeth Harbison.
Family moves to Warrensburg, Missouri
At age 16 his family moved to a farm near Warrensburg; he became involved in local schools and public speaking.
Completed high school
Finished high school after active participation in debate and Chautauqua assemblies that influenced his interest in public speaking.
Graduated State Teachers College (Warrensburg)
Graduated from the State Teachers College in Warrensburg (now University of Central Missouri); began to pursue jobs in sales.
First job — selling correspondence courses
Took a traveling-sales job selling correspondence courses for International Correspondence Schools (Alliance, Nebraska).
Sales role at Armour & Company
Moved into commodity sales (bacon, soap, lard) for Armour & Company; became successful and made his South Omaha territory a national leader.
Saved money and moved to New York to pursue acting
Saved modest funds (sources report $200–$500) and moved to New York to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Enrolled at American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Studied acting briefly and performed in touring production (reportedly played Dr. Hartley in Polly of the Circus) before leaving the stage.
Began teaching public speaking at YMCA (first Dale Carnegie course)
Persuaded YMCA manager to let him run night classes for a share of the proceeds; improvised exercises that helped students overcome fear of speaking.
Reported high earnings from courses
By 1914 he was reportedly earning $500 per week from his speaking classes (huge at the time), reflecting rapid popularity.
Co-authored The Art of Public Speaking
Published The Art of Public Speaking with Joseph Berg Esenwein (1915), an early major publication on oratory.
Sold-out lecture at Carnegie Hall
Delivered a sold-out lecture at Carnegie Hall, demonstrating his rising national reputation as a speaker and teacher.
Served in U.S. Army during World War I
Served at Camp Upton during World War I; draft card notes conscientious objector status and missing a forefinger.
Published Public Speaking: the Standard Course of the United Y.M.C.A.
Published a text formalizing his course material for YMCA schools (1920 edition cited).
First marriage (to Lolita Baucaire) — date varies in sources
Married Lolita Baucaire (sources conflict on date: some indicate c.1921, others list 1927). The marriage later ended in divorce.
Changed spelling of last name to 'Carnegie' (approx.)
Around the mid-1920s he altered the spelling from 'Carnagey' to 'Carnegie' to avoid correction and create a recognizable brand.
Published Public Speaking: a Practical Course for Business Men
Collected and expanded course materials into a book (later retitled Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business).
Began licensing the Dale Carnegie course nationally
Started recruiting and licensing individuals to deliver his course throughout the U.S., expanding reach and creating a business model.
First marriage ended in divorce
His first marriage ended in divorce in August 1931 (per newspaper records).
Published Lincoln the Unknown
Published a biography of Abraham Lincoln, reflecting Carnegie's interest in leadership examples from history.
Published Little Known Facts About Well Known People
Published a compilation of biographical sketches; contributed to his reputation as a popular author.
Founded Carnegie Institute of Effective Speaking and Human Relations
Formal founding of the national institute (often cited as 1935), consolidating his courses under an institutional brand.
Published How to Win Friends and Influence People
Simon & Schuster published How to Win Friends and Influence People (Nov 1936); immediate bestseller and seminal self-help book.
Published Five Minute Biographies
Published a collection of short biographical sketches, continuing his prolific output.
How to Win Friends sales reach 1,000,000 copies
By November 1939 HTWFIP had sold approximately 1 million copies — rapid commercial success and broad influence.
Published Biographical Round-up
Published Dale Carnegie's Biographical Round-up (1944), a collection of short biographies.
Married Dorothy Price Vanderpool
Married former secretary Dorothy Price Vanderpool (Nov 5, 1944); she later helped run the company and edited/preserved his work.
Published How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Published another bestseller offering practical advice to reduce anxiety and stress.
Birth of daughter Donna Dale Carnegie
His daughter with Dorothy, Donna Dale Carnegie, was born in 1951.
Moved institute headquarters to Manhattan brownstone
In 1953 Carnegie moved the institute's headquarters into a converted five-story brownstone in Manhattan.
Company incorporated as Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.
The company was incorporated in 1954, and the 1950s saw expansion into Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America.
Institute and book reach broad scale by time of death
By his death HTWFIP had sold about 5 million copies (lifetime figure often cited) and the Dale Carnegie Institute had around 450,000 graduates.
Died of Hodgkin lymphoma in Forest Hills, New York
Dale Carnegie died on November 1, 1955; he was buried in Belton Cemetery, Cass County, Missouri.
Posthumous publication: Dale Carnegie's Scrapbook
Dorothy Carnegie edited and released a treasury of his writings in 1959 (posthumous).
Posthumous publication: The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking
Dorothy Carnegie published a book based on Dale Carnegie's notes and ideas (1962).
First Dale Carnegie leadership courses developed (organization milestone)
Responding to changing management needs, the company developed leadership training that later became core programs.
Course curriculum expands with customer service and personal development
The Dale Carnegie curriculum expanded with Customer Service Courses and Personal Development Training.
Courses awarded accreditation by Continuing Education Council (ACCET)
In 1975 Dale Carnegie training courses were awarded accreditation by the Continuing Education Council (now ACCET).
Strategic Presentations Workshop developed
The company developed a Strategic Presentations Workshop to enhance presentation skills for corporate clients.
Began offering tailored corporate training worldwide
The organization expanded offerings to tailored corporate training solutions across global markets.
U.S. Dale Carnegie organizations approved on GSA Federal Supply Schedule
All locally sponsored U.S. Dale Carnegie Training organizations were approved to offer services to federal agencies (GSA #GS-10F-0329K).
Bust installed in Missouri Hall of Famous Missourians
A bust honoring Dale Carnegie was installed in the Hall of Famous Missourians at the Missouri State Capitol (posthumous recognition).
Dale Carnegie Training celebrates 100-year anniversary
The organization celebrated 100 years since the start of his 1912 course; organization reported global reach and impact.
Launch of Global Day of Giving Initiative (company milestone)
The company launched social-impact initiatives such as Global Day of Giving to expand community impact worldwide.
Named among Top 20 Sales Training Companies (TrainingIndustry.com)
Dale Carnegie Training recognized by TrainingIndustry.com among Top 20 Sales Training Companies (2016 & 2017).
Named a Top Leadership Training Company (TrainingIndustry.com)
Dale Carnegie Training recognized as a Top Leadership Training Company by TrainingIndustry.com.
Winner of Training Magazine Network Choice Awards
Company won multiple categories in the 2020 Training Magazine Network Choice Awards (Custom Content, LMS, Measurement).
Named a Top Leadership Training Company (TrainingIndustry.com)
Continued recognition by TrainingIndustry.com as a Top Leadership Training Company.
110-year anniversary; launch of Dale Carnegie eVolve
Company celebrated 110 years and introduced Dale Carnegie eVolve, a blended-learning interactive platform.
Recognized as Top 10 Transformative Business in America (CEO Forum Group)
Dale Carnegie Training selected among Top 10 Transformative Businesses in America by CEO Forum Group.
Named a Top Leadership Training Company (TrainingIndustry.com)
Latest recognition listing by TrainingIndustry.com naming Dale Carnegie Training among top leadership training providers.
Organization reports over 8 million graduates & global trainer network
Company reports roster of over 8 million graduates, ~2,700 professional trainers, and operations in 85+ countries and 30+ languages.
Key Achievement Ages
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