Granville Stanley Hall

Granville Stanley Hall was born on February 1, 1844 at a farm at Ashfield village near Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. He was one of the few psychologists who gave early impetus and direction to the development of psychology in the United States.

His early Life

Hall descended from a line of congregational Protestants stemming from John Alden. He came from a family of limited means who found the congregational church their social pivotal point. He passed his youth at Ashfield, Massachusetts attending the country school. He spent his boyhood in isolation, for he was already beginning to develop intense interests one after the other, but found no sympathy among his natural peer-group. Quite early in life Hall revolted against becoming a farmer, a profession much sought after then.His Education

Granville Stanley Hall did not wish to be a farmer and finally at his mother's behest and against his father's wishes, decided to join college to prepare for the ministry. It was a time in Ashfield that appeared to be the most auspicious of the learned professions.

Hall went away to a seminary for further studies. He also taught The Theological School for a term in Ashfield and later entered Williams College in 1863.

His College Education

Hall entered Williams College in 1863 and graduated with philosophy in 1867 - one of the major avenues available at the time to join the clerical profession at Union Theological Seminary. It was at this Seminary that his thoughts turned to a career as a professor of philosophy.