James McKeen Cattell was the first psychology professor in the United States, teaching at the University of Pennsylvania.
These are issues that the field of psychology is still grappling with today.
Cattell was also the founder and editor of a number of scientific journals including The Psychological Review.
Image courtesy Library of Congress
His father, William, was a Presbyterian minister who later became the president of Lafayette College.
His uncle was Alexander Gilmore Cattell, a U.S.
Senator for New Jersey.
Cattell attended Lafayette College starting at age 16 where he studied English literature.
He later graduated with an M.A.
Cattell went on to publish the first psychology dissertation by an American.
Career
Cattell was awarded his Ph.D. in 1886 and became a lecturer at the University of Cambridge.
He returned to the United States to teach psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and later at Columbia University.
The corporation was one of the largest creators and administrators of mental tests.
The academic growth of psychology in America during the past few years is almost without precedent…. Cattell died on January 20, 1944 at the age of 83.
Selected Publications
Below are a number of Cattell’s published works:
