Norman Vincent Peale
Born 1898 · Age 127
American Protestant clergyman, author, and popularizer of positive thinking; longtime pastor of Marble Collegiate Church; author of The Power of Positive Thinking; co-founder and editor of Guideposts.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Bowersville, Ohio
Norman Vincent Peale was born in Bowersville, Ohio, the eldest of three sons of Charles and Anna Peale.
Graduated Bellefontaine High School
Graduated from Bellefontaine High School, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Worked as newspaper reporter (Findlay, Detroit)
Worked as a newspaper reporter first in Findlay, Ohio, then in Detroit, Michigan after college.
Earned bachelor's degree, Ohio Wesleyan University
Completed undergraduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A.).
Entered Boston University School of Theology
Began theological studies at Boston University School of Theology preparing for Methodist ministry.
Ordained as Methodist minister
Ordained into the Methodist ministry (Methodist Episcopal Church).
Served first pastorate in Berkeley, Rhode Island
Served two years as pastor of a small church in Berkeley, Rhode Island (1922–1924).
Graduated Boston University School of Theology (S.T.B., M.A.)
Received Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Master of Arts (social ethics) from Boston University.
Assistant pastor at St. Mark's Methodist Church (Brooklyn)
Moved to Brooklyn, New York, to serve as assistant pastor at St. Mark's Methodist Church.
Built Kings Highway Church; membership growth
Took over a struggling Brooklyn congregation, built a new church (Kings Highway) and increased membership from ~40 to ~900 over a three-year period.
Called to Syracuse — University Methodist Church; early radio sermons
Accepted call to Syracuse, serving at University Methodist Church and became among the first American clergymen to broadcast sermons on radio.
Married Loretta Ruth Stafford
Married Loretta Ruth Stafford in Syracuse; wedding officiated by his father; notable attendees included Bishop Adna Wright Leonard and Chancellor Charles Wesley Flint.
Guest preached at Marble Collegiate Church (March)
Invited as guest preacher at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, which had been without a pastor for two years.
Accepted pastorate at Marble Collegiate Church; transferred denomination
Accepted full-time pastor position at Marble Collegiate Church and transferred from Methodism to the Reformed Church in America; congregation attendance grew from ~200 to thousands under his leadership.
Launched radio program 'The Art of Living'
Returned to radio in New York City; 'The Art of Living' launched and later became nationally sponsored and long-running.
National Council of Churches sponsorship on NBC
Peale's radio program 'The Art of Living' was at times sponsored by the National Council of Churches on the NBC radio network, significantly increasing reach.
Published book 'The Art of Living'
Published The Art of Living (Abingdon Press), articulating ideas about applied Christianity and inner resources.
Founded psychiatric clinic with Smiley Blanton
Teamed with psychoanalyst Smiley Blanton to found a religio-psychiatric clinic (later the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry); Blanton handled psychiatric cases, Peale religious issues.
Appeared at pro-American/anti-communist rally (Commodore Hotel)
Appeared alongside Elizabeth Dilling and Reverend Edward Lodge Curran at a 'Mass Meeting and Pro-American Rally' at the Commodore Hotel; later the event drew controversy.
Founded Federation for Christian Living
Founded the Federation for Christian Living (organization to promote applied Christianity / personal and spiritual fulfillment).
Co-wrote 'Faith Is the Answer' with Smiley Blanton
Published Faith Is the Answer: A Psychiatrist and a Pastor Discuss Your Problems (co-authored with Smiley Blanton).
Stepped into controversial political activism (NCUCG)
Peale's chairmanship of NCUCG (1942–1945) and other affiliations illustrated his political engagements that sometimes contradicted his public statements about clergy avoiding politics.
Chairman, National Committee to Uphold Constitutional Government
Replaced Samuel B. Pettengill as chairman of the NCUCG, a pressure group opposed to some Franklin D. Roosevelt policies.
Preached sermon denouncing anti-Semitism
Preached a sermon urging government and church steps to 'stamp out' anti-Semitism during WWII.
Co-founded Guideposts magazine
With his wife Ruth Stafford Peale and Raymond Thornburg, founded Guideposts, a non-denominational inspirational magazine (began as a small newsletter).
Co-founded Horatio Alger Association
Along with educator Kenneth Beebe, co-founded the Horatio Alger Association to honor Americans who achieved despite adversity.
Published 'A Guide for Confident Living' (first bestseller)
A Guide for Confident Living (Prentice-Hall) became his first bestseller, bringing religious perspective to personal problems.
Published 'The Art of Real Happiness' (with Smiley Blanton)
Co-authored The Art of Real Happiness with Smiley Blanton (publication tied to their work at the church clinic / religio-psychiatric efforts).
Clinic became American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry (Peale president)
By 1951 the religio-psychiatric clinic had evolved to an independent organization (American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry) with Peale as president and Smiley Blanton as executive director.
Clinic evolution milestone — leadership role
By 1951 the clinic he co-founded had become an independent foundation (American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry) with Peale as president, formalizing his association with pastoral psychiatry.
Horatio Alger Award recipient (Class of 1952)
Recognized by the Horatio Alger Association (class of 1952); considered by some sources a co-founder due to perpetuation of Beebe's vision.
Published 'The Power of Positive Thinking'
Released his signature book The Power of Positive Thinking (Prentice-Hall/Simon & Schuster editions); it popularized positive thinking and became a cultural phenomenon.
Book stayed on NYT bestseller list for 186 consecutive weeks
The Power of Positive Thinking remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 186 consecutive weeks (roughly 3.6 years) following publication.
Began television series 'What's Your Trouble?' (with wife)
Alongside his wife Ruth, launched the TV program What's Your Trouble? (ran 1952–1968).
Public criticism from psychiatrists and theologians
Following the success of The Power of Positive Thinking, Peale drew widespread criticism from mental-health professionals and theologians (e.g., R.C. Murphy, William Lee Miller, Reinhold Niebuhr).
Opposed Adlai Stevenson (divorce objection) and Stevenson's quip
Peale opposed Adlai Stevenson's candidacy because Stevenson was divorced; during the 1956 campaign Stevenson quipped, 'I find Saint Paul appealing and Saint Peale appalling.'
Received Distinguished Salesman’s Award (NY Sales Executives)
Honored with the Distinguished Salesman’s Award by New York Sales Executives (one of a series of civic and professional awards through his career).
Public backlash over anti-Catholic stance; resignation threats
After the Kennedy episode Peale faced condemnation from many religious leaders, was dropped by some newspapers and threatened to resign from his church; was publicly criticized by Reinhold Niebuhr and others.
Attended Montreux conference with Billy Graham (mid-August)
Invited by Billy Graham to a strategy conference of evangelical leaders in Montreux, Switzerland; participants agreed to form a citizens' group on religious freedom.
Chaired National Conference of Citizens for Religious Freedom; opposed JFK
On Sept 7 served as chairman and spoke for ~150 Protestant clergymen opposing John F. Kennedy's election on grounds of his Catholic faith; declared election of a Catholic put 'our culture at stake.'
Film 'One Man's Way' produced (biopic based on Peale)
A feature film depicting aspects of Peale's life, One Man's Way, starred Don Murray (film released 1964, production credited to 1963–1964 era).
Named 'Clergyman of the Year' (Religious Foundation of America)
Received the Clergyman of the Year Award (one of many honors received over his career).
Honorary degree from Brigham Young University
Awarded an honorary degree by BYU (one of several honorary degrees earned during his career).
Television series 'What's Your Trouble?' ended
Television show co-hosted with his wife ran from 1952 until 1968.
Honorary degree from University of Cincinnati
Awarded an honorary degree by the University of Cincinnati.
Paul Harris Fellow Award (Rotary International)
Received the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International.
Received Distinguished Patriot Award; Freedoms Foundation awards
Received multiple recognitions including Freedoms Foundation awards (one of several in 1950s–1970s) and Distinguished Patriot Award from Sons of the American Revolution.
Order of Aaron and Hur (Chaplain Corps, U.S. Army)
Received recognition (Order of Aaron and Hur) from the Chaplains Corps, U.S. Army.
Reported to have officiated Donald Trump's first wedding (approx.)
Sources report Peale officiated Donald Trump's first wedding (Trump married Ivana in 1977); specific documentation linking date and Peale included in biographies and news accounts.
Distinguished Achievement Award, Ohio Wesleyan University
Received Distinguished Achievement Award from his alma mater Ohio Wesleyan University.
Retired as pastor of Marble Collegiate Church
Retired after more than a half-century leading Marble Collegiate Church (served from 1932–1984).
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan for originating a 'philosophy of happiness' and influencing millions.
Received multiple honors in mid/late 1980s
Received awards across the 1980s (e.g., Golden Rule Award, Communicator of the Year, Grand Cross Award of Scottish Rite), reflecting ongoing recognition of his influence.
End of 'The Art of Living' radio program (record run)
'The Art of Living' radio program, begun in 1935, ran ~54 years; sources indicate it continued until about 1989.
Published final book 'Bible Power for Successful Living'
Published his last book, Bible Power for Successful Living, in 1993 (capstone of a 46-book authorship career).
Died in Pawling, New York (Christmas Eve)
Died following a stroke on December 24, 1993, in Pawling, NY.
Documentary 'Positive Thinking: The Norman Vincent Peale Story' (posthumous release)
A documentary about Peale's life includes interviews with five U.S. presidents who spoke about his influence; used as measure of his political and cultural influence (documentary release and screenings occurred after his death).
Reported cumulative sales and translations of The Power of Positive Thinking
Various sources reported The Power of Positive Thinking sold widely: claims include 2–7 million during earlier decades, and Ruth Peale's obituary cited 'more than 21 million copies in 42 languages' (figures vary by source and date).
Ruth Stafford Peale (wife) died; noted Guideposts figures
Ruth Stafford Peale (his wife of 63 years and Guideposts co-founder/chairman emeritus) died Feb 6, 2008. Her obituary credited The Power of Positive Thinking with cumulative sales figures quoted variably in sources.
Key Achievement Ages
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