Norman Vincent Peale

Norman Vincent Peale was an American Protestant clergyman, and an author best known for popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking (1952). He served as the pastor of Marble Collegiate Church, New York, from 1932, leading this Reformed Church in America congregation for more than a half century until his retirement in 1984. Alongside his pulpit ministry, he had an extensive career of writing and editing, and radio and television presentations. Despite arguing at times against involvement of clergy in politics, he nevertheless had some controversial affiliations with politically active organizations in the late 1930s, and engaged with national political candidates and their campaigns, having influence on some, including a personal friendship with President Richard Nixon.

31 May 1898

Born on the same birth day (31 May): Andrea Appiani • Antti Niemi (footballer) • Art Coulter • Daniele Bonera • Darryl McDaniels • Dositheus II of Jerusalem • Erik Karlsson • Joe Namath • Julian Beck • Junior Campbell • Krista Kilvet • Leonard Asper • Lloyd Quarterman • Mac Suzuki • Manuel I of Portugal • Michaël Bournival • Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki

Born in the same month (May 1898): Alfred Schmidt (weightlifter) • Aloysius Stepinac • Ariel Durant • Armand Hammer • Blind Willie McTell • Christfried Burmeister • Desanka Maksimović • Eduard Ole • Elsie Eaves • Ernst Bacon • Faruk Nafiz Çamlıbel • Golda Meir • John Gilroy (artist) • John McLaughlin (artist) • Julius Evola • Kenji Mizoguchi • Scott O'Dell • Tamara de Lempicka