The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking About the Author Dale Harbison Carnegie (November 24, 1888 – November 1, 1955) was an American writer and lecturer and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking and interpersonal skills. Born into poverty on a farm in Missouri, he was the author of the bestselling How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936), How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (1948) and many more self-help books.