June Downey

June Downey
Born July 13, 1875
Laramie, Wyoming
Died October 11, 1932 (aged 57)
Trenton, New Jersey
Resting place Green Hill Cemetery, Laramie
Nationality American
Fields Psychology
Institutions University of Wyoming
Alma mater University of Wyoming
Thesis Control Processes in Modified Handwriting (1908)

June Etta Downey (July 13, 1875 – October 11, 1932) was a professor of philosophy and psychology at the University of Wyoming who primarily studied handwriting. The first woman to be made head of her department in a state university, Downey was also one of the first scientists to study personality scientifically.

Biography

Early life

June Downey was born in Laramie, Wyoming to Stephen Wheeler Downey and Evangeline (Owen) Downey as the second child in a family of nine. Her father was a colonel in the Union Army and one of the founders of the University of Wyoming and her younger brother, Sheridan Downey, served as US Senator from California between 1938 and 1950.[1][2] Following education in Laramie public schools and the University of Wyoming preparatory school she entered the university to major in Greek and Latin.[1]

Career

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1895, Downey taught in an elementary school for a year before attending the University of Chicago to work in philosophy and psychology where she completed her master's degree in 1898.[1] Returning to the University of Wyoming, Downey taught English and psychology whilst also conducting some laboratory work for a few years; she was made a full professor of English and philosophy at the university in 1905.[3] In 1906 she took leave from her work in order to complete her doctorate; submitting her thesis in 1908, titled 'Control Processes in Modified Handwriting', on the topic of handwriting as a measure of personality.[1]

Following her graduate work, Downey was made head of her department; the first woman to be given such a position in a state university.[3] She published a number of academic papers as well as writing and occasionally publishing short stories, poems, plays, and popular articles, including a volume of poetry titled The Heavenly Dykes.[4] Downey's studies focused on themes of imagery and aesthetics and were concentrated in experimental studies rather than theory.[1] She was one of the first psychologists to study personality scientifically and became an expert in handwriting and handedness.[3]

Later life

As Downey grew older she concentrated on her teaching. She published her last book, 'Creative Imagination', in 1929 tying together her interests in psychology and the arts.[3] Downey gained membership to the council of the American Psychological Association between 1923 and 1925 and was one of the first two women admitted to membership in the Society of Experimental Psychologists in 1929, along with Margaret Washburn.[1][3][4][5] Downey never married and had no children.[5]

Downey died at her sister's home in Trenton, New Jersey in 1932 after being taken ill with stomach cancer.[1] Shortly after her death, Downey's family presented her private library to the University of Wyoming. The University held a memorial service for her and in 1999 she was named a finalist of 'Wyoming Citizen of the Century'.[3] James Rowland Angell, whom Downey worked under for her doctorate, described her as "endowed with an unusually alert and discerning mind and with a maturity of judgment extremely infrequent in students of her age."[3]

Legacy

A June Etta Downey Fund in Psychology was established by family members to support professorships, restore the June E. Downey Seminar Room, and support women in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wyoming.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Edward T. James, Janet Wilson James, Paul S. Boyer (1971). Notable American Women, 1607-1950. Harvard University Press. pp. 514–515. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  2. ↑ Tiffany K. Wayne (2011). American Women of Science Since 1900 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 351. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Gregory A. Kimble, Michael Wertheimer (2003). Portraits of Pioneers in Psychology, Volume 5 5. Psychology Press. ISBN 113570533X. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "June Etta Downey (1875-1932)". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Barbara Morgan (2002). Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. via HighBeam (subscription required). Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  6. ↑ "UW Panel Focuses on Legendary Professor". Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (via HighBeam (subscription required)). September 16, 1998. Retrieved April 28, 2014.