Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (1924-2003), was cited by the American Psychological Association as the Father of Strengths Psychology and the Grandfather of Positive Psychology. He was a Chairman of Gallup, Inc., and he invented the Clifton StrengthsFinder, an assessment that has helped millions of people around the world discover their talents. He coauthored several books, including the bestseller, Now, Discover Your Strengths , as well as How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life; Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God-Given Talents and Inspire Your Congregation and Community; Effective Principals: Positive Principles at Work; StrengthsQuest: Discover and Develop Your Strengths in Academics, Career, and Beyond ; and Soar With Your Strengths.
Dr. Clifton received numerous other honors during his lifetime, including the University of Nebraska's Entrepreneur of the Year award (1989), the Distinguished Psychologist in Management award from the Society of Psychologists in Management (1997), and the Psychology Today Chi Award (2000). Dr. Clifton received a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1948, a master's degree in educational psychology in 1949, and a doctorate in educational psychology in 1953.