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Ludwig R. Geissler papers

Ludwig R. Geissler papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Ludwig R. Geissler papers
Creator: Geissler, Ludwig R.
Inclusive Dates: 1879-1932
Language(s): English
Extent: 3.25 Linear Feet (2 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Collection Number: UA07-032
Repository: University of Georgia Archives

Collection Description

Historical Note

A native of Germany, Ludwig Reinhold Geissler held the position of Associate Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Georgia from 1912 through 1916. Prior to his time at UGA, Geissler studied and taught under Professor E. B. Titchener at Cornell and did applied psychological research at the National Lamp Company in Cleveland, Ohio.

Although there only a short time, Geissler played a major role in the development of psychology as a field of study at the University of Georgia. One of his accomplishments was to help design and equip the psychology department's space and laboratories in the newly constructed George Peabody Hall. Also of note was a research project that led him to study the effectiveness of advertising by local Athens merchants.

While at UGA Geissler was elected to membership in the SSPP (Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology). In 1913, his first year of membership, Geissler presented a paper entitled, "A New Test for General Intelligence" that examined an intelligence test based on word associations.

In 1916, while at the University of Georgia, Geissler became the principal founder of The Journal of Applied Psychology with the aid of G. Stanley Hall and John Wallace Baird of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. In September 1916, Geissler relocated to Clark University where Hall was President. Hall, Baird, and Geissler were listed as co-editors, but Geissler served as chief editor for the first four years (1917 - 1920).

For the first issue Geissler wrote an article titled, "What is applied psychology?" that helped define the field and set the scope of the journal. Baird died in 1919, and Geissler and Hall were replaced as editors in 1920 when Hall retired and Geissler resigned from Clark University.

The year 1920 found Clark College and University in financial straits and Geissler left to accept a position with Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia. At RMWC he soon attained the rank of Professor and by 1923 had became the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Psychology and Education.

*Biographical information courtesy of Roger K. Thomas.

Scope and Content

Although this collection includes information relating to Geissler's time at the University of Georgia, much of the material deals with his non-UGA activities. Most of the papers in the collection were donated by Geissler's granddaughters, Barbara Noel Dowds and Ruth Marie Noel. They provided the papers to UGA Psychology Emeritus Professor Roger K. Thomas to use while researching his biographical chapter on Geissler for the book Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology Presidents and Presidential Addresses edited by James L. Pate.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation note

Ludwig R. Geissler papers, UA07-032, University Archives, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

General Notes

RG: 2-10-21


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Geissler, Ludwig R.
Germany.
Psychology -- Georgia -- Athens.
Psychology -- Research.
Psychology -- Study and teaching -- Georgia.
Universities and colleges -- Faculty.
Universities and colleges -- Germany.
University of Georgia. Psychology Dept.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Prepublication Draft Of Geissler Biographical Chapter
 
12Autobiographical and Biographical
 
13L. R. Geissler, 1879-1902
 
14L. R. Geissler In Texas, 1902-1905
 
15Cornell University /National Electric Lamp Association , 1905-1912
 
16Geissler/Titchener Correspondence (Titchener Is Well Known In The History Of Psychology And Was Geissler's Dissertation Supervisor), 1909-1925
 
17Mss - Geissler "Analysis Of Consciousness Under Negative Instruction" - American Journal Of Psychology , 1912
 
19L. R. Geissler/Clark University/The Journal Of Applied Psychology, 1916-1920
 
18L. R. Geissler - UA, 1912-1916
 
110-11L. R. Geissler/Randolph - Macon Woman's College, 1920-1932
 
112L. R. Geissler And SSPP [Southern Society For Philosophy And Psychology]
 
113Tests, Etc. Included With Geissler Papers
 
114Notes, Etc. From Geissler Papers
 
115Geissler - Reprints- Original
 
116Geissler - Publications: I Photocopies
 
117Geissler - Publication: II Photocopies
 
boxfolder
21Manuscript - Re Geissler ["Ludwig Reinhold Geissler And The Journal Of Applied Psychology" - Manuscript Submitted By Dr. Thomas On For Consideration For Publication In American Journal Of Psychology], 2008 July 18
 
22Ludwig Reinhold Geissler And The Founding Of The Journal Of Applied Psychology By Roger K. Thomas. American Journal Of Psychology, 2009
 
23Geissler/Starbuck [Correspondence], 1934
 
24Geissler/Titchener [Correspondence], 1911, 1913, 1923
 
25"Ludwig Reinhold Geissler (1879-1932)" By Roger K. Thomas [Revised Draft Of Biographical Chapter To Be Included In Forthcoming Book], 2009 April 21
 
oversized_box
1L. R. Geissler PhD diploma from Cornell University, 1909 June 17
 
1Class photograph depicting L. R. Geissler, possibly depicting graduation from the King of Saxony's Teachers Seminar at Loebau, circa 1900