About Legendary W.D. Gann
William Delbert Gann was born June 6, 1878 in Lufkin, Texas. His father, Samuel Houston Gann, was a teacher who traded horses and cows. His mother, Susan Rebecca Gann, devoted all her time to raising W.D. Gann and his younger siblings.
She taught him to read with the Bible — a book that later influenced his thinking about the nature of financial markets. His family was poor. Samuel, Susan and their eight children lived in a small house, and young William walked seven miles every day for three years to get to school. Gann never graduated from high school.
In 1894, William Gann, at the age of 16, left his studies and began looking for work. He became a peddler on the train traveling between Texarkana and Tyler in Texas. He also worked in a cotton warehouse.
The Rise of a Trading Legend
In 1901 he worked for a brokerage firm in Texarkana and married his first wife, Rena May Smith. In March 1918, Gann successfully predicted the end of the First World War and the Kaiser's abdication from the throne. His predictions were published by many leading newspapers of the time, including the New York Times.
In 1919 he started working for himself. He published the Supply and Demand Letter which included predictions for the stock and commodity markets. In a 60-day period, Gann raised over $30,000 on cotton, starting with just $1,000 in capital.
Major Works & Achievements
Truth of the Stock Tape
Rated by many as the best book on the market. Gann shares his observations on reading tape and price movements.
Tunnel Thru the Air
A novella written as a summary of his own discoveries, hidden within the plot. Gann predicts World War II, particularly Japan's attack on the United States.
Predicted the 1929 Crash
Successfully predicted the top of the bull market on September 3, 1929, and the greatest market panic in history months before it occurred.
Wall Street Stock Selector
Describes the state of the market from 1931 to 1933 — written before those years had occurred.
Buy Recommendation at Depression Low
Made a historic buy recommendation to his clients at the time of the Great Depression's lowest point.
New Stock Trend Detector
Published another seminal work and bought his own fully-metal Silver Star aircraft — the first private metal plane in the United States.
How to Make Profits in Commodities
Became a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and published one of his most practical trading guides.
45 Years in Wall Street
His most autobiographical work. Based on its merits, The International Mark Twain Society made him an honorary member.
The Great Master Course
Sold for $5,000 — the price of an average home in 1954. At age 73, Gann commanded $500 per day for consulting services.
Passing of a Legend
W.D. Gann passed away at 3:20 PM at the age of 77. He was buried in the Masonic section of Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn — on an alley overlooking his beloved Wall Street.