Charles Francis Haanel (born Heimell; 1866 – 1949) was an American philosopher, businessman and new thought author best known for his book The Master Key System.
During his life Haanel earned and received several honorary academic degrees, including hon. Ph.D., College National Electronic Institute; Metaphysics, Psy. D., College of Divine Metaphysics; and M.D., Universal College of Dupleix, India.
Haanel’s book The Master Key System, published in 1912, is written in the form of a course in New Thought, mental development, financial success, and personal health. By 1933 it had allegedly sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.
Haanel practiced the financial principles he preached, and was a self made success who owned several major companies. According to Stevens, writing in 1909, “He was president of the Continental Commercial Company, president of the Sacramento Valley Improvement Company, and president of the Mexico Gold & Silver Mining Company.”
He was a Fellow of the London College of Psychotherapy, a member of the Authors League of America; a member of the American Society of Psychical Research; a member of the Society of Rosicrucians, a Freemason and Shriner; a member of the American Suggestive Therapeutical Association; and a member of the Science League of America.
In 1919, Napoleon Hill wrote Haanel a letter thanking him for The Master Key System. In the letter Hill stated, “My present success and the success which has followed my work as President of the Napoleon Hill Institute is due largely to the principles laid down in The Master-Key System.”
Haanel was quoted in the best-selling self-help book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, published in 2007. (Wikipedia)
