James Drever (1873)
| Sir James Drever | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1873 Shapinsay, Orkney, Scotland |
| Died | 1950 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Psychologist, |
| Known for | First Professor of Psychology at a Scottish University |
Sir James Drever FRSE (1873–1950) was a Scottish psychologist and academic who was the first Professor of Psychology at a Scottish university.
James Drever was born in Balfour, on Shapinsay Island, Orkney in 1873. In 1889 he commenced his studies at the University of Edinburgh, beginning a lifelong association with that institution. Following his graduation with a Master of Arts degree he proceeded to study medicine. In 1906 he became assistant to Professor Darroch, the Professor of Education at the University of Edinburgh. At this time he was living at 36 Lomond Road in Trinity, Edinburgh.
In 1912 he was given control of a laboratory of experimental education at Edinburgh, the first pedagogical laboratory in the United Kingdom and six years later succeeded Dr W.G. Smith as Combe Lecturer and head of the University's Psychology Department.
The department Drever took over had only been established in 1906 and expanded greatly during Drever's time in charge of it. In this role, he has been described as ’instrumental’ in the establishment of the psychology degree programme at Edinburgh. In 1931 he was elevated to the position of Professor of Psychology, and was the first individual to hold such a post in Scotland. Among his colleagues at Edinburgh were Dr Mary Collins, the psychoanalyst Dr W.R.D. Fairbairn and J.D. Sutherland. Collins collaborated with Drever on a number of books. Drever retired in 1944 and was succeeded by his son, also called James Drever.
Drever was recognised as an expert in experimental psychology thanks to his pioneering contributions to that field. He served as President of British Psychological Society and was appointed President of the Twelfth International Congress of Psychology in 1948. He was heavily involved in organising this congress, which met in Edinburgh, but was unable to attend it due to ill health. In the event his son delivered the presidential address he had written.
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