James Drever

Sir James Drever FRSE (8 April 1873 – 10 August 1950) was a Scottish psychologist and academic who was the first professor of Psychology at a Scottish university.

Early life

Sir James Drever was born on 8 April 1873 in Balfour, on Shapinsay Island, Orkney. After an argument between Drever's father and their landlord, the Drever family were evicted from their home. They subsequently migrated to Stromness. Drever was a rather delicate and sickly child who quickly grew fond of reading. He was gifted with the ability to learn and memorize things rapidly as well as retain the information. He could repeat several pages of his favorite author's works. At age fourteen Drever was indentured for four years as a pupil-teacher. He assisted the headmaster of the school for two years before breaking his indenture. Drever was willing to pay the penalty because he felt that he was wasting his time in regard to his own education. At this time he was living at 36 Lomond Road in Trinity, Edinburgh.

Education In 1889 Drever began his studies at the University of Edinburgh. He graduated in four years with a Master of Arts degree.

Research and career in education Between 1907 and 1913 Drever was the assistant to the professor of education in Edinburgh and conducted research on the German methods of training both primary and secondary teachers. The department Drever took over 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 program at Edinburgh.

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.

Recognition Drever is recognised as an expert in experimental psychology thanks to his pioneering contributions to that field. He served as president of British Psychological Society in 1926, and in 1948 he was appointed president of the Twelfth International Congress of Psychology.

In recognition of his work Drever was knighted in 1938.

Family Drever was married to Annie May Watson in 1907. Their sons were James Drever, who succeeded his father's role at the University of Edinburgh, and Harald Irving Drever FRSE (1912-1975), a geologist. The younger James Drever was also a noted psychologist, BPS president, and was the first principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee. Drever died on 10 August 1950.