Richard Wirthlin
American pollster (1931-2011)
Richard Bitner Wirthlin (March 15, 1931 – March 16, 2011) was a prominent American pollster, who is best known as Ronald Reagan's chief strategist, serving as his political consultant and pollster for twenty years, from 1968 through the end of his presidency. He became a senior adviser and member of Reagan's inner circle and is known to have helped him shape his political message and strategies, both in presidential campaigns and in the White House. Wirthlin also was a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a member of its Second Quorum of the Seventy from 1996 to 2001.
Early life
Wirthin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Madeline Bitner and Joseph L. Wirthlin, who later served as presiding bishop of the LDS Church. As a young adult, he spent two years as a Mormon missionary, serving in Switzerland and Austria from 1951 to 1953. Wirthlin was assigned to Basel, Switzerland for his entire mission. After finishing his missionary service, Wirthlin obtained a B.A. in economics and an M.A. in economics and statistics from the University of Utah. From 1954 to 1955 he served in the United States army. He received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California at Berkeley.
Career in polling firm and politics
In 1969, Wirthlin founded a survey research firm based in Los Angeles.
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