Who is the historical figure Charlie Munger admired the most, and what were the reasons?
Who is Charlie Munger's Most Admired Historical Figure? Why?
Hey there! As a devoted fan of Munger who's read many of his books and interviews, I’d love to discuss this. Charlie Munger’s most admired historical figure is undoubtedly Benjamin Franklin. Munger frequently mentions him in public, viewing Franklin as his intellectual role model. Why? Let me break it down in simple terms.
Who Was Benjamin Franklin?
For context, Franklin was one of America’s Founding Fathers in the 18th century. Though never president, he was remarkable: he invented the lightning rod, founded libraries and fire departments, and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. Starting from humble beginnings, he became a self-taught scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and businessman—essentially, a true polymath.
Why Does Munger Admire Him?
Munger himself is a cross-disciplinary thinker (fluent in investing, law, psychology, etc.), so he deeply respects Franklin for these traits:
- Multidisciplinary Thinking: Franklin didn’t limit himself to one field. He applied scientific methods to politics and business acumen to invention. Munger’s investment philosophy of "cross-disciplinary learning" echoes this. As Munger famously said, "To the man with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." Franklin embodied this versatility, inspiring Munger’s "worldly wisdom" framework.
- Practical Wisdom and Discipline: Franklin’s autobiography details self-improvement through small habits—early rising, frugality, honesty. Munger champions these not as moral lectures but as practical tools to avoid pitfalls in life and investing. For instance, Munger’s investing principle of "avoiding stupidity" aligns with Franklin’s rational decision-making.
- Rags-to-Riches Resilience: Franklin rose from obscurity through sheer effort. Munger admires this self-reliance, believing it applies to investing too—wealth comes from wisdom and patience, not luck.
Munger even titled his book Poor Charlie’s Almanack as a tribute to Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack. If interested, I highly recommend Munger’s speeches, where he often praises Franklin. Ultimately, Munger doesn’t idolize him—he learns from Franklin’s blueprint for a wise life and smart investing. If you want to understand Munger’s approach, Franklin is the perfect starting point! Feel free to ask more questions anytime.