Benjamin Spock

Benjamin McLane Spock (May 2, 1903 – March 15, 1998) was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care (1946) is one of the best-sellers of all time. The book said to mothers "you know more than you think you do".[1]

Benjamin Spock
Benjamin McLane Spock (1976).jpg
Spock on April 21, 1976
Born
Benjamin McLane Spock

(1903-05-02)May 2, 1903
DiedMarch 15, 1998(1998-03-15) (aged 94)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materYale University
Columbia University MD
AwardsE. Mead Johnson Award (1948)
Scientific career
FieldsPediatrics, Psychoanalysis
InstitutionsMayo Clinic 1947–1951
University of Pittsburgh 1951–1955
Case Western Reserve University 1955–1967
Signature
Benjamin Spock signature.svg
Benjamin Spock
Medal record
Men's rowing
Competitor for the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1924 Paris Eight

Spock was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to try to understand children's needs. His ideas influenced parents to be more flexible and affectionate with their children, and to treat them as individuals. However, his theories were also widely criticized by colleagues. According to the critics, he relied too heavily on anecdotal evidence rather than serious academic research.[2]

Spock was regarded as a radical during the troubled times of the Vietnam War.[3]

Spock won an Olympic gold medal in rowing in 1924 while attending Yale University.

References

  1. Hidalgo, Louise (23 August 2011). "Dr Spock's Baby and Child Care at 65". BBC.
  2. Maier, Thomas. 1998. Doctor Spock: an American life. NY: Harcourt Brace, p260.
  3. Bloom, Lynn Z. 1972. Doctor Spock: biography of a conservative radical. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.