William James and the Birth of Modern Teaching

This book examines the work of William James from the perspective of the educator, as well as the long-term influence he exerted over modern education. While much focus has rightly been given to William James’s other psychological works, many biographers, educators, and historians have not given due attention to his Talks to Teachers on Psychology (1899), resulting in a significant gap in Jamesian studies. This book fills this gap through an analysis of the events and people that brought about the initial lectures long before they appeared in print. In addition to covering James’s early life and education, it also examines the role played by persons such as Harvard President C.W. Eliot, educator Paul Hanus, and philosopher Josiah Royce.