Marvin James Van Wagenen was born in Ohioville, New York on November 18, 1884. He earned his bachelor's degree from Rutgers (New Brunswick, New Jersey), his M.A. in 1912 and Ph.D. in 1918 from Columbia University. Dr. Van Wagenen joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota as an associate professor of education in 1917 and retired as professor emeritus in 1952. Dr. Van Wagenen formed and was director of the Psychoeducational Research Laboratory at the University, where he developed his tests and curriculum in reading. His curriculum and tests were used by schools throughout the nation for testing and evaluating the educational skills of students. Marvin Van Wagenen died on February 3, 1976.
From the guide to the Marvin J. Van Wagenen papers, 1920s-1960s, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
