Erik Erikson - American-german Psychologist, Birthday and Facts
Erik Erikson's Personal Details
Erik Erikson was an American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst who is known for introducing the world to the concept of ‘Identity Crisis’
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | June 15, 1902 |
| Died on | May 12, 1994 |
| Nationality | Canadian, German, American |
| Famous | Intellectuals & Academics, Psychologists, Physicians, American-german Psychologist |
| Spouses | Joan Erikson |
| Known as | Erik Smith Erikson |
| Childrens | Jon Erikson, Kai T. Erikson, Sue Erikson |
| Birth Place | Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
| Born Country | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Waldemar Isidor Salomonsen |
| Mother | Karla Abrahamsen |
| Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Born in | Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
| Famous as | American-German psychologist |
| Died at Age | 91 |
Erik Erikson's photo
Who is Erik Erikson?
Erik Homburger Erikson was a German-born American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst who pioneered in the world of child psychology by giving his development theory with his ‘eight psychosocial stages’. He was born in Frankfurt in unusual circumstances in which his mother did not conceive him through her husband but he never got to know who his biological father was. It is said that the history of his birth is something that triggered the need in him to pursue the concept of identity and it is how he gave the world the psychological term ‘identity crisis’, a major contribution to the world of psychology and psychoanalysis. He grew up in Germany and came in contact with the world of psychoanalysis when he met Sigmund Freud’s daughter Anna Freud. He studied psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute but Nazi invasion of Germany led to his emigration to America. In America, Erikson found a wide scope to practice psychoanalysis on children in Boston and worked at various medical institutes, including the Harvard University and California University. He studied the psychology of children from various social structures, environments, emotional and psychological issues and compiled his observations in the most prominent book of his career, ‘Childhood and Society’.
// Famous Psychologists
Abraham Maslow
Abraham Maslow was a humanistic psychologist best known for his theory of self-actualization. This biography of Abraham Maslow provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Felicitas Rombold
Felicitas Rombold is a German model, academic and the wife of actor Daniel Brühl. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget was a psychologist and philosopher known for his theory of cognitive development. This biography of Jean Piaget provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany to Karla Abrahamsen and Waldemar Isidor Salomonsen, who was a Jewish stockbroker. He was born to his mother under the circumstances where his mother had not seen his father for several months.
He was registered as Erik Salomonsen at birth and there is no information available about his biological father. Shortly after he was born, his mother moved to Karlsruhe to become a nurse and got remarried to a pediatrician, Theodor Homburger.
In 1911, Erickson was officially adopted by his stepfather, Theodor Homburger and he became Erik Homburger. The story of his birth was kept from him for a long time and he grew up not knowing who his real father was.
Career
Erikson was a teacher at a private school in Vienna where he became friends with the daughter of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud. She got him interested in psychoanalysis and he got trained in the science at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute.
In 1933, while Erikson was being trained in psychoanalysis, Nazis took over Germany and he had to leave the country. He first moved to Denmark and then emigrated to States where he became the first child psychoanalyst in Boston.
After working in Boston for some time, Erikson worked at various positions in various institutes like, Massachusetts General Hospital, the Judge Baker Guidance Center, Harvard Medical School and Psychological Clinic, etc.
In 1936, Erikson joined Harvard University and worked at the Institute of Human Relations, while teaching at the Medical School. Side by side, he was also studying a set of children on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota.
Erikson left Harvard and joined the staff of the California University in 1937. He associated with the Institute of Child Welfare there and opened his private practice. He also devoted his time in studying the children of the Yurok tribe.
All of his observations of children of different environments and breeds led to compilation of the most famous book of his psychology career, ‘Childhood and Society’ in 1950. The book introduced the world to the concept of ‘identity crisis’.
After leaving the University of California, Erikson started working and teaching at the Austen Riggs Centre, which is a major psychiatric treatment facility in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He got involved there in observing emotionally troubled young adolescents.
In 1960, he went back to Harvard University and took the position of professor of human development and worked until his retirement and after his formal retirement he wrote on various subjects of psychology along with his wife.
Major Works
Erikson’s main contribution to psychology was his developmental theory. He professed that humans developed throughout their life span, which is explained in his eight psychosocial stages of development.
Awards & Achievements
In 1973, the National Endowment for the Humanities gave an opportunity to Erikson to lecture at the Jefferson Lecture, the United States' highest honor for achievement in the humanities. His lecture was called "Dimensions of a New Identity".
Erikson won a Pulitzer Prize for the contribution in the field of psychology through his writings and a U.S. National Book Award in category Philosophy and Religion for his book ‘Gandhi’s Truth (1969)’.
Personal Life & Legacy
Erikson married Joan Serson Erikson in 1930 and remained married to her until his death. They had 4 children together. His son, Kai T. Erikson is a prominent American sociologist.
Trivia
Erikson was teased for being a Nordic at the Jewish school and at grammar school, they teased him for being Jewish.
// Famous Intellectuals & Academics
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin was a famous Swedish economist. This biography profiles his childhood, family life & achievements.
Emily Greene Balch
Emily Greene Balch was an American economist, sociologist and pacifist who won the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize. This biography of Emily Greene Balch provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Martin Buber
One of the greatest philosophers to have ever walked on earth, Martin Buber contributions to philosophy is a long-standing one. Explore all about his profile, childhood, life and timeline here.
Erik Erikson's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1969 - Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction | |
| 0 | 1973 - Jefferson Lecture | |
| 0 | 1969 - U.S. National Book Award in category Philosophy and Religion | |
Erik Erikson biography timelines
- // 15th Jun 1902Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt, Germany to Karla Abrahamsen and Waldemar Isidor Salomonsen, who was a Jewish stockbroker. He was born to his mother under the circumstances where his mother had not seen his father for several months.
- // 1911In 1911, Erickson was officially adopted by his stepfather, Theodor Homburger and he became Erik Homburger. The story of his birth was kept from him for a long time and he grew up not knowing who his real father was.
- // 1930Erikson married Joan Serson Erikson in 1930 and remained married to her until his death. They had 4 children together. His son, Kai T. Erikson is a prominent American sociologist.
- // 1933In 1933, while Erikson was being trained in psychoanalysis, Nazis took over Germany and he had to leave the country. He first moved to Denmark and then emigrated to States where he became the first child psychoanalyst in Boston.
- // 1936In 1936, Erikson joined Harvard University and worked at the Institute of Human Relations, while teaching at the Medical School. Side by side, he was also studying a set of children on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota.
- // 1937Erikson left Harvard and joined the staff of the California University in 1937. He associated with the Institute of Child Welfare there and opened his private practice. He also devoted his time in studying the children of the Yurok tribe.
- // 1950All of his observations of children of different environments and breeds led to compilation of the most famous book of his psychology career, ‘Childhood and Society’ in 1950. The book introduced the world to the concept of ‘identity crisis’.
- // 1960In 1960, he went back to Harvard University and took the position of professor of human development and worked until his retirement and after his formal retirement he wrote on various subjects of psychology along with his wife.
- // 1973In 1973, the National Endowment for the Humanities gave an opportunity to Erikson to lecture at the Jefferson Lecture, the United States' highest honor for achievement in the humanities. His lecture was called "Dimensions of a New Identity".
// Famous Physicians
Al-Zahrawi
Al-Zahrawi, was an illustrious medieval Arab Muslim physician and surgeon. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and interesting facts about him.
Jabir Ibn Hayyan
Jabir Ibn Hayyan was a medieval era polymath. Check out this biography to know about his life, works and achievements.
Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori was a physician and educator who developed the approach of Montessori education. This biography of Maria Montessori provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Mae Jemison
Mae Carol Jemison is a famous American astronaut who became the first African American astronaut to travel to space. To know more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline read on
Paul Farmer
Paul Farmer is an anthropologist and physician who co-founded the health organization - Partners In Health (PIH). This biography of Paul Farmer provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget was a psychologist and philosopher known for his theory of cognitive development. This biography of Jean Piaget provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Erik Erikson's FAQ
What is Erik Erikson birthday?
Erik Erikson was born at 1902-06-15
When was Erik Erikson died?
Erik Erikson was died at 1994-05-12
Where was Erik Erikson died?
Erik Erikson was died in Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts[
Which age was Erik Erikson died?
Erik Erikson was died at age 91
Where is Erik Erikson's birth place?
Erik Erikson was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
What is Erik Erikson nationalities?
Erik Erikson's nationalities is Canadian, German, American
Who is Erik Erikson spouses?
Erik Erikson's spouses is Joan Erikson
Who is Erik Erikson childrens?
Erik Erikson's childrens is Jon Erikson, Kai T. Erikson, Sue Erikson
What is Erik Erikson's religion?
Erik Erikson's religion is Jewish
Who is Erik Erikson's father?
Erik Erikson's father is Waldemar Isidor Salomonsen
Who is Erik Erikson's mother?
Erik Erikson's mother is Karla Abrahamsen
What is Erik Erikson's sun sign?
Erik Erikson is Gemini
How famous is Erik Erikson?
Erik Erikson is famouse as American-German psychologist