Nathaniel Branden

Nathaniel Branden
Publicity photo of Nathaniel Branden
Born
Nathan Blumenthal

(1930-04-09)April 9, 1930
DiedDecember 3, 2014(2014-12-03) (aged 84)
CitizenshipUnited States
Known forFounder of self-esteem movement in psychology, former associate of Ayn Rand
Spouses
  • (m. 1953; div. 1968)
  • Patrecia Scott (née Gullison)
    (m. 1969; died 1977)
  • Estelle Devers
    (m. 1978; div. 2003)
  • Leigh Horton
    (m. 2006)
Scientific career
FieldsPsychotherapy

Nathaniel Branden (born Nathan Blumenthal; April 9, 1930 – December 3, 2014) was a Canadian–American psychotherapist and writer known for his work in the psychology of self-esteem. A former associate and romantic partner of Ayn Rand, Branden also played a prominent role in the 1960s in promoting Rand's philosophy, Objectivism. Rand and Branden split acrimoniously in 1968, after which Branden focused on developing his own psychological theories and modes of therapy.