Martin P. E. Seligman è nato ad Albany nello stato di New York il 12 agosto del 1942 ed un noto psicologo e saggista statunitense che è considerato il fondatore della psicologia positiva.

 Insegna psicologia all'Università di Pennsylvania ed è stato Presidente dell'American Psychological Association per la quale ha fondato e dirige il giornale elettronico.

 Autore di diversi best seller, tra i quali ricordiamo: "Imparare l'Ottimismo" e "Come Crescere un Bambino Ottimista" è anche un appassionato giocatore di Bridge, che è stato sposato con la campionessa Edith Seamon, e che ha vinto diverse gare regionali arrivando a piazzarsi al secondo posto nel Blue Ribbon Pairs del 1997.

Martin E.P. Seligman ( Albany, New York , 12 August 1942 ) is an American psychologist and writer . He is well known for his work on the idea of " learned helplessness ", and more recently, for his contributions to leadership in the field of Positive Psychology.

According to Haggbloom et al's study of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th Century, Seligman was the 13th most frequently cited psychologist in introductory psychology textbooks throughout the century.

Seligman is the Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania , Department of Psychology. He was previously the Director of the Clinical Training Program in the department. Seligman has served as President of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division of Clinical Psychology. 

Seligman was elected President of the APA by the widest margin in its history and served during the 1998 term. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of "Prevention and Treatment Magazine" (the APA electronic journal), is on the Board of Advisors of "Parents Magazine", and is Chairman of the Scientific Board at Foresight, Inc.

Seligman is also a best selling author, writing about Positive Psychology topics such as "The Optimistic Child", "Learned Optimism", and, in 2002, "Authentic Happiness".

Seligman is also a talented bridge player, whose accomplishments include a second-place finish in one of the three major North American pair championships, the Blue Ribbon Pairs (1997) along with many regional championships.