Date of Birth: April 9, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: December 3, 2014
Biography
Nathaniel Branden, originally Nathan Blumenthal, was a Canadian-American psychotherapist and writer known for his work in the psychology of self-esteem. Born on April 9, 1930, in Brampton, Ontario, Branden was a significant figure in the Objectivist movement, which is based on the philosophy created by Ayn Rand. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and went on to receive his MA from New York University. Later, Branden achieved a Ph.D. in Psychology from the California Graduate Institute. Branden met Ayn Rand in 1950, and the two developed both a professional and personal relationship. He was a key advocate and intellectual partner in promoting Rand’s philosophy, and he established the Nathaniel Branden Institute to disseminate Objectivism through lectures and publications. However, their relationship eventually deteriorated, leading to a public and personal fallout in 1968. Post-Objectivism, Branden continued to focus on self-esteem psychology, writing several influential books, including “The Psychology of Self-Esteem,” “Breaking Free,” and “The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.” He also maintained a private psychotherapy practice and conducted workshops and seminars until his death on December 3, 2014.
5 Interesting Facts about Nathaniel Branden
1. Nathaniel Branden was originally born Nathan Blumenthal but changed his name to align more closely with Ayn Rand and her philosophy.
2. Branden was a major figure in the Objectivist movement and a close associate of Ayn Rand, but their professional and personal relationship ended acrimoniously.
3. He founded the Nathaniel Branden Institute, which was dedicated to teaching and promoting Objectivism through various courses and lectures.
4. Branden is often credited with pioneering the self-esteem movement and has written extensively on the subject.
5. He continued to work actively in psychology and psychotherapy up until his death, influencing both clinical practice and popular understanding of self-esteem.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nathaniel Branden
1. “Self-esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves.”
2. “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
3. “To preserve an error is to reduce one’s capacity to think.”
4. “The more you understand yourself, the more you will understand the world.”
5. “A goal without an action plan is a daydream.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Nathaniel Branden’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Nathaniel Branden did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Nathaniel Branden Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Branden
2. [The Nathaniel Branden Institute](https://www.nathanielbranden.com/
4. [Ayn Rand Institute](https://www.aynrand.org/
