George Samuel Clason (1874–1957) was an American author, entrepreneur, and pioneer of personal finance literature whose timeless parables continue to shape how people think about money and wealth. Born on November 7, 1874, in Louisiana, Missouri, Clason attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and served in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War before relocating to Denver, Colorado, in 1900. There he founded the Clason Map Company, which made history as the first publisher of a road atlas of the United States and Canada — a remarkable achievement that foreshadowed his lifelong passion for charting new territory, whether geographic or financial.
In 1926, Clason began writing a series of informational pamphlets on financial success, framing his lessons as parables set in ancient Babylon. Distributed widely by banks and insurance companies across America, these pamphlets struck a profound chord with readers hungry for practical wisdom during an era of economic uncertainty. The most celebrated pamphlets were eventually compiled into The Richest Man in Babylon, one of the greatest personal finance books ever written. Through characters like Arkad — the richest man in Babylon — Clason distilled universal principles of saving, investing, and building wealth into stories that feel as relevant today as they did a century ago. He is widely credited with popularizing the phrase "Pay yourself first," a cornerstone of modern financial planning.
Though his map company did not survive the Great Depression, Clason's financial wisdom endured. The Richest Man in Babylon has sold millions of copies worldwide and remains a staple recommendation among investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to build lasting financial security. Clason spent his final years in Napa, California, where he passed away on April 7, 1957. His legacy lives on in the Nightingale-Conant tradition of bringing life-changing ideas to motivated listeners — ensuring that the golden principles of ancient Babylon continue to guide modern seekers of financial freedom.
