 Seligman was born in Manhattan to Irving and Clare O'Brien Seligman on September 25, 1924; he was a first cousin once removed to psychologist Martin Seligman.After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Seligman graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree.He wrote for "The American Mercury",
"Commonweal", and "The New Leader" before being hired by "Fortune" magazine in 1950 as a writer.