Roots in the Great Plains: The Applied Psychology of Harry Hollingworth

Foreword

vii Foreword David B. Baker It is hard to believe that a year has passed since publication of the inaugural volume in the Center for the History of Psychology Series. The series is designed to make available unpublished primary source materials from the Center’s collections. The response to the first volume, Walter Miles and His 1920 Grand Tour of European Physiology and Psychology Laboratories, has been positive and encouraging. It has provided the proof of concept that we envisioned for the series. We are fortunate that the Center for the History of Psychology has an embarrassment of riches. It is satisfying to select the next work in the series and once again, the task was easy. We are pleased to present the unpublished autobiography of Harry Hollingworth (1880–1956). The autobiography provides detailed and descriptive information about the development of applied work in psychology. The reader will find much of interest about Harry Hollingworth, Leta Stetter Hollingworth, Nebraska history, graduate education in early twentieth century America, and the rise of applied psychology . The work is published in two volumes. This makes the size of the autobiography more manageable and most importantly, is true to the manner in which Hollingworth himself conceived and prepared the work. Both can be read in their own right, the first volume telling the story of Hollingworth’s Nebraska roots and the second providing a first person account of the rise of applied psychology in the industrial northeast of America. Taken together these two volumes provide a glimpse into a transformative time in American history and psychology. It was only natural that Ludy T. Benjamin Jr. of Texas A&M University serve as one of the editors for this volume. Professor Benjamin is recognized as a leading authority on the history of American psychology. He has researched and written extensively about the life and work of Harry Hollingworth. He is joined by Lizette Royer Barton, senior archives associate at the Center. Ms. Barton was an editor on the first book in the series and brings the skill and knowledge necessary for another successful project. I am certain that the reader will find in these pages new insights and understandings of psychology in twentieth century America. ...