PROFESSOR C. E. SPEARMAN PhD, LL.D., F.R.S
On September 17th, as the result of an accident Professor Spearman, formerly Grote Professor Mind and Logic at University College, London, died at the age of 83.
” One of the great pioneers of modern scientific methods in psychology “?to use the words of The Times obituary notice? he drew students to his laboratory in Gower Street from all over the world. The psychological research which he conducted for the Government during the War of 1914-18 made a contribution by no means small to the more recent application of psychology in connection with the selection of personnel in the Forces engaged in the war just ended. His use of the results of mental tests to throw light on the general constitution of the human mind, and his isolation of the factor of ” general intelligence “, referred to by him as ” g ” to avoid premature interpretations, Were two of his outstanding contributions resulting from his research work. In his books, The Nature of Intelligence, The Abilities of Man and The Creative Mind, he describes his methods and theories Whilst his last volume, Psychology Down the Ages deals with the evolution of the chief doctrines of psychology from its beginnings to the present day. In 1931, he was made Emeritus Professor in the University of London, and many honours were showered upon him. Paying tribute to his memory, The Times writer describes him?” in virtue of his novel application of statistical methods to psychological problems and of his exceptional capacity to combine exact experimentation with profound theoretical interpretation ” as being assured of ” a permanent place among the great figures of mental science
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