John C. Bogle (1929-2019) was a pioneering American investor, business magnate, and philanthropist, best known as the founder of The Vanguard Group and the creator of the first retail index mutual fund. He graduated magna cum laude in Economics from Princeton University in 1951, where his senior thesis on mutual funds caught the attention of Walter L. Morgan, the founder of Wellington Management Company. Bogle's career began at Wellington, where he rapidly ascended to leadership roles and ultimately became president in 1967. His innovative vision led to the establishment of Vanguard in 1974, which revolutionized the investment industry by prioritizing low-cost index funds and aligning the interests of investors with those of fund managers.

Bogle authored several influential books on investing, including The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, which advocates for a straightforward, long-term investment strategy centered on index funds. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of TIME magazine's 100 most powerful people and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Institutional Investor. Through his writings and advocacy, Bogle has been a relentless champion for investors, emphasizing the importance of reducing costs and focusing on long-term growth.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bogle was deeply committed to civic engagement and education, serving on various boards and receiving honorary doctorates from multiple universities. He resided in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where he continued to influence the investment community until his passing in 2019.