Charles F. Haanel

May 22, 1866 – November 27, 1949

Charles F. Haanel was an extraordinary man whose work “The Master Key System” is now being read all over the world because of its philosophy being included in the current phenomenon entitled “The Secret.” “The Master Key System” is probably one of the finest works ever written on the method of unfolding individual mental power.

By 1933 the book had sold over 200,000 copies worldwide; but shortly thereafter, for a reason unknown to us at this time, it disappeared from public view for many years. Some have alluded to its being quashed by “the church” for whatever that information is worth, or whatever it means.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Charles F. Haanel’s family moved to St. Louis when he was in his early childhood, and he lived there for most of his life with the exception of travels to take care of the many businesses he formed in his adult life.

He was a businessman of extraordinary acumen, who owned several major companies and was a self made success in his time. He was president of the Continental Commercial Company; he was also president of the Sacramento Valley Improvement Company that held at that time the largest Tokay vineyards in the world. He was president of the Mexico Gold & Silver Mining Company, a sugar plantation in Mexico, and other companies.

He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner among his many civic associations and charities, and his list of honors and degrees tell a story of a man of superior intellect, a magnificent mind.

Mr. Haanel died on November 27, 1949, at the age of 83. He is buried at Belfontaine Cemetery in St. Louis. His obituary was a short four paragraphs in the St. Louis newspaper and was an unfitting final eulogy for a magnificent life that contributed so much to mankind.