Book Series Guide

Author guide

George S. Clason Books in Order

George Samuel Clason (1874–1957) was an American author, businessman, publisher, and Spanish-American War veteran. He founded the Clason Map Company and Clason Publishing Company, and his map company published an early road atlas of the United States and Canada. He became best known for a series of financial parables set in ancient Babylon, first issued as pamphlets and collected in The Richest Man in Babylon (1926). His other books addressed settlement, furniture, financial self-help, and popular science.

personal financebusinessself-helpguidebookshistorypopular science

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Cover of The Richest Man in Babylon

The Richest Man in Babylon

Clason's best-known and most representative work: a standalone collection of financial parables.

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Novels (5)
  1. The Richest Man in Babylon

    nonfiction · 1926

    To bring your dreams and desires to fulfillment, you must be successful with money. This book shows you how to amass personal wealth by sharing the secrets of the ancient Babylonians, who were the first to discover the universal laws of…

Frequently asked questions about George S. Clason

Who was George S. Clason?

George Samuel Clason was an American author, businessman, publisher, and former U.S. Army serviceman best known for The Richest Man in Babylon.

Source: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)

When and where was George S. Clason born?

He was born on November 7, 1874, in Louisiana, Missouri.

Source: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)

What did George S. Clason do before becoming known for personal-finance writing?

He attended the University of Nebraska, served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War, and founded the Clason Map Company in Denver. The company published the first road atlas of the United States and Canada.

Source: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)

How did George S. Clason's financial parables reach readers?

Beginning in 1926, he issued pamphlets about thrift and financial success, using parables set in ancient Babylon. Banks and insurance companies distributed them widely, helping the stories reach millions of readers.

Source: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)

Why is George S. Clason still remembered today?

His Babylonian parables became a modern inspirational classic and helped establish his lasting reputation in personal-finance literature. Publishers continue to describe his work as influential and widely read.

Sources: penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)academic.macmillan.com (opens in a new tab)