John Templeton

About John Templeton

Sir John Marks Templeton (November 29, 1912 – July 8, 2008) was an American-born British investor, fund manager, and philanthropist. He founded the Templeton Growth Fund in 1954, which became one of the most successful international investment funds in history. Templeton pioneered global diversification, investing in international markets when most American investors focused solely on domestic stocks. He famously bought shares in every company trading below $1 on the New York Stock Exchange in 1939, multiplying his money many times over. His investment philosophy centered on finding "maximum pessimism" – buying when others were most fearful. Templeton believed that the best bargains were found in markets and companies that others had abandoned. He was also known for his patience, often holding investments for years. A deeply religious man, Templeton established the Templeton Prize in 1972 to honor individuals who advance spiritual understanding. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1987 for his philanthropic contributions.