Pillsbury, W. B. (Walter Bowers), 1872-1960

Professor of psychology at University of Michigan.

Pillsbury received a Ph.D. degree from Cornell University in 1896.

Psychologist.

Cornell University Ph.D. 1896.

Walter Bowers Pillsbury was professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, teaching first in the philosophy department and then helping to establish a psychology department. Pillsbury was born July 21, 1872 in Burlington, Iowa. He studied at Penn College, the University of Nebraska, and Cornell University where he received his Ph. D. degree in 1896. After teaching for a year at Cornell, Pillsbury in 1897 came to the University of Michigan as an instructor in psychology (in the philosophy department). In 1901, he became director of the psychology laboratory. In 1910, he was made full professor and in 1929, when the department of psychology was established, he was appointed chairman.

Before coming to the university, there were only occasional lectures in psychology, given by philosophy professors. Pillsbury introduced regular courses in psychology. He also established the psychological laboratory which introduced students to laboratory work and stimulated extensive experimentation with humans as well as animals. In his research and writing, Pillsbury was renowned for his work in the area of reasoning and attention, publishing monographs on both topics. He was skilled as a teacher and lecturer, and was a prolific writer. Pillsbury retired from the university in 1942 and died in 1960.

Walter Bowers Pillsbury was professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, teaching first in the philosophy department and then helping to establish a psychology department. Pillsbury was born July 21, 1872 in Burlington, Iowa. He studied at Penn College, the University of Nebraska, and Cornell University where he received his Ph. D. degree in 1896. After teaching for a year at Cornell, Pillsbury in 1897 came to the University of Michigan as an instructor in psychology (in the philosophy department). In 1901, he became director of the psychology laboratory. In 1910, he was made full professor and in 1929, when the department of psychology was established, he was appointed chairman.

Before coming to the university, there were only occasional lectures in psychology, given by philosophy professors. Pillsbury introduced regular courses in psychology. He also established the psychological laboratory which introduced students to laboratory work and stimulated extensive experimentation with humans as well as animals. In his research and writing, Pillsbury was renowned for his work in the area of reasoning and attention, publishing monographs on both topics. He was skilled as a teacher and lecturer, and was a prolific writer. Pillsbury retired from the university in 1942 and died in 1960.