Charles Van Doren

Date of Birth: February 12, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: April 9, 2019

Biography

Charles Van Doren was an American academic, writer, and television personality, best known for his involvement in the quiz show scandal of the 1950s. Born into a prominent literary and academic family, Van Doren initially pursued a career in education and literature. He earned a Ph.D. in English from Columbia University and went on to teach at the institution. His life took a dramatic turn when he participated in the television quiz show “Twenty-One” in 1956, where he gained national fame and substantial winnings. However, it was later revealed that the show was rigged and that Van Doren had been given the answers in advance. The scandal led to a congressional investigation and Van Doren’s subsequent fall from grace. Despite this, he managed to rebuild his life, working in publishing and continuing his writing career, which included contributions to Encyclopædia Britannica.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles Van Doren

1. Charles Van Doren was the son of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mark Van Doren and novelist Dorothy Van Doren.

2. He won $129,000 on the quiz show “Twenty-One,” which was later found to be rigged.

3. Van Doren appeared on the cover of Time magazine on February 11, 1957, during his quiz show fame.

4. He testified before Congress in 1959, admitting his participation in the quiz show scandal.

5. After the scandal, Van Doren worked for Encyclopædia Britannica, where he contributed to the 15th edition of the encyclopedia.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles Van Doren

1. “I was involved, deeply involved, in a deception.”

2. “I have deceived my friends, and I had millions of them.”

3. “I was more ashamed to be caught than I was to be part of the deception.”

4. “It’s a question of integrity. I have to live with myself.”

5. “The truth is, I wanted the money and the fame.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his quiz show fame, Charles Van Doren’s winnings were $129,000, equivalent to roughly $1.2 million today when adjusted for inflation. However, his long-term net worth is not publicly documented.