Contributions to the History of Psychology: XVIII. William H. Burnham: Forgotten Psychologist and Educational Pioneer

Abstract

William H. Burnham, one of G. Stanley Hall's close co-workers at Clark University, specialized in educational psychology and within that field made school hygiene his particular concern. Greatly respected by his students and colleagues, Burnham had a modest achievement drive which kept him from gaining more lasting fame than he did. His publications extend from the late 1880s to the 1930s (after his retirement). His concept of hygiene was a broad one, and he urged application of it to all phases of a child's education. Burnham's influence in promoting mental hygiene within the school has been only partially recognized.