Norman Vincent Peale, born in 1898, was an American minister, author, and inventor of the theory of positive thinking. In 1935, the author started a radio program named The Art of Living that ran for 54 years. He began Guideposts, a religious magazine with a circulation of over 4.5 million.

In the meantime, Peale wrote books such as A Guide to Confident Living, Inspiring Messages for Daily Living, The Power of Positive Thinking for Young People, and The Tough-Minded Optimist. Peale was raised a Methodist.

However, he changed his religious affiliation in 1932, and joined the Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan as a pastor. In his 52-year tenure, the membership of the church rose from 600 to 5000. The author was associated with the White House, and was one of New York City s most famous preachers.

His life was the subject of One Man s way, a 1964 movie. Peale founded the Horatio Alger Association, the Peale Center, and the Positive Thinking Foundation. He was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 for his contributions to the field of theology. Peale passed away in 1993, at the age of 95.