George Gallup

Date of Birth: November 18, 1901

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 26, 1984

Biography

George Gallup, an eminent figure in the world of business and public opinion polling, was born on November 18, 1901, in Jefferson, Iowa. He is best known as the founder of the Gallup Poll, a pioneering and highly influential organization in the field of public opinion research. Gallup’s innovative approach to polling transformed the way businesses, governments, and other organizations understand public sentiment and make decisions. Gallup graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1923 and went on to earn a Master’s degree in political science in 1925. He continued his academic pursuits, obtaining a Ph.D. in 1928. Gallup’s early career included positions as a journalism professor at Drake University and Northwestern University. His interest in public opinion and market research led him to establish the American Institute of Public Opinion in 1935, more commonly known as the Gallup Organization. Gallup’s methods were groundbreaking and often controversial, but they quickly gained credibility after accurately predicting Franklin D. Roosevelt’s victory in the 1936 presidential election, a result that many other polls had failed to foresee. Over the decades, Gallup’s organization expanded its scope to include market research and employee engagement surveys, solidifying its reputation as a trusted source of data and insights. George Gallup passed away on July 26, 1984, in Tschingel, Switzerland, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fields of polling and market research.

5 Interesting Facts about George Gallup

1. George Gallup correctly predicted Franklin D. Roosevelt’s victory in the 1936 presidential election, which established the credibility of his polling methods.

2. Gallup’s polling techniques were often more accurate than those of his contemporaries, leading to widespread adoption and imitation of his methods.

3. He was a professor of journalism and taught at both Drake University and Northwestern University before founding his polling organization.

4. The Gallup Organization, founded in 1935, has become a global leader in public opinion polling, market research, and employee engagement.

5. Gallup believed in the power of scientific sampling and statistical analysis to understand public sentiment accurately.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Gallup

1. “The common people, no matter how much they are lied to, are pretty good judges of character.”

2. “I could prove God statistically.”

3. “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

4. “Polling is merely an instrument for gauging public opinion. When a politician changes his position to what the polls indicate, he is not leading, he is following.”

5. “The most important thing about education is appetite.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific details about George Gallup’s highest net worth are not widely documented, his lasting impact and the continued success of the Gallup Organization suggest significant financial success over his career.

Children

George Gallup had three children: Alec Gallup, George Gallup Jr., and Julia Gallup Laughlin. Both Alec Gallup and George Gallup Jr. were involved in the Gallup Organization, continuing their father’s legacy in public opinion research.