Request Material
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