George Gallup was born on November 18, 1901 in Jefferson, Iowa. He grew up in a middle-class family and showed an early interest in statistics and research. As a young man, Gallup attended the University of Iowa where he studied journalism and psychology. It was during his time at university that he first became fascinated with the idea of using surveys to gauge public opinion.
After graduating from university, Gallup moved to New York City where he found work at an advertising firm in 1932. It was here that his career in polling began. Hired to conduct public-opinion surveys for the firm's clients, Gallup quickly realized the potential for using polling as a research method. He developed innovative techniques to ensure the accuracy of his results, making polling a respected and trustworthy tool in the world of social science.
One of Gallup's early successes came in 1936 when he accurately predicted that Franklin D. Roosevelt would win the U.S. presidential election. This prediction catapulted Gallup to fame and solidified his reputation as a leading pollster.
Despite his many successes, Gallup did experience some notable misses throughout his career. One of the most famous misses came in 1948 when Gallup incorrectly predicted that Thomas Dewey would defeat Harry S. Truman in the presidential election. This error was a rare misstep for Gallup, who prided himself on the accuracy of his polling methods.
George Gallup's legacy in the field of polling is undeniable. His pioneering work in developing reliable polling methods revolutionized the way public opinion is measured. Gallup's polls have been a fixture in American politics since 1936, providing valuable insights into the thoughts and attitudes of the public.
Throughout his career, Gallup remained committed to the principles of accuracy and reliability in polling. His dedication to ensuring that his results were as precise as possible set the standard for modern polling practices.
George Gallup passed away on July 26, 1984, but his contributions to the field of polling continue to be felt to this day. He will always be remembered as a trailblazer in the world of public opinion research.