When is William James's birthday?

William James's birthday is January 11. He was born on January 11, 1842 in Astor House, United States.

How old was William James when he died?

William James died on August 26, 1910, aged 68.

Who shares a birthday with William James?

Famous people who share William James's January 11 birthday include Alexander Hamilton, Matteo Renzi, Theodosius I, Kailash Satyarthi and Albert Hofmann.

Philosophy · Science · Literature · 1842–1910

William James — Age, Birthday & Biography

Born: 11 January 1842 · Died: 26 August 1910 · Age: 68

American philosopher and psychologist who wrote The Principles of Psychology and helped found the school of pragmatism

Did you know?He originally trained as a physician and was the elder brother of the celebrated novelist Henry James.

Quick facts

Date of birth11 January 1842
Date of death26 August 1910
Age at death68
Cause of deathHeart failure
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceAstor House, United States
Occupationphilosopher, psychologist, university teacher

Editor's Take:

William James was the father of American psychology and one of its most readable writers. He trained as a doctor at Harvard but was drawn to questions about the mind. He taught the first psychology course in the United States. His huge Principles of Psychology described thought as a flowing "stream of consciousness". As a philosopher he helped found pragmatism, which judges ideas by their practical effects. He also studied religious experience with rare open-mindedness. His brother was the novelist Henry James.

Key Milestones

1869: Medical degree – Harvard
1875: Psychology – first US course
1890: Principles of Psychology
1902: Varieties of Religious Experience

William James (January 11, 1842 – August 26, 1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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William James: The Father of American Psychology

American philosopher and psychologist, 1842–1910

William James was born in New York City on 11 January 1842.

He studied medicine at Harvard.

The Principles of Psychology appeared in 1890.

The Varieties of Religious Experience followed in 1902.

Career highlights

1869Medical degree: Harvard
1875Psychology: first US course
1890Principles: of Psychology
1902Varieties: of Religious Experience
1907Pragmatism: lectures

Did you know?He described a baby's world as "one great blooming, buzzing confusion".

Age at death: 68
Years since death: 116

Family

Father: Henry James, Sr.
Mother: Mary Walsh James
Spouse: Alice Gibbens James
Child: William James

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Frequently asked questions

When is William James's birthday?: William James's birthday is January 11. He was born on January 11, 1842 in Astor House, United States.
How old was William James when he died?: William James died on August 26, 1910, aged 68.
Who shares a birthday with William James?: Famous people who share William James's January 11 birthday include Alexander Hamilton, Matteo Renzi, Theodosius I, Kailash Satyarthi and Albert Hofmann.

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