Minister and pop psychology author whose famous work, The Power of Positive Thinking, was heavily criticized by the mental health community. The book, published in 1952, remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 180 weeks.
He was raised in the Methodist faith and became an ordained minister in the church in 1922. In 1932, he left the denomination and joined the Reformed Church in America.
He and psychoanalyst Smiley Blanton collaborated on the writing of a 1940 book called Faith Is the Answer: A Psychiatrist and a Pastor Discuss Your Problems.
He was one of three sons born to Charles and Anna Peale. He later married Ruth Peale.
He was opposed to John F. Kennedy's presidency.
