A British golfer who won several tournaments, including the 1936 Open Championship, and was known for his consistent play and sportsmanship.
Martin Robert Coles was born on October 12, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Philip Coles, an immigrant from Leeds, England, and Sandra Young Coles, originally from Sioux City, Iowa. Coles' early years were marked by academic excellence, and he attended Boston Latin School, where he developed a passion for literature and editing. He later graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1950, earning Phi Beta Kappa honors.
Coles' trajectory in life was forever changed when, as part of his senior honors thesis, he interviewed the poet and physician William Carlos Williams. Inspired by Williams' words, Coles shifted his focus from becoming a teacher or professor to pursuing a career in medicine. He went on to study medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1954.
After completing his residency training at the University of Chicago, Coles moved on to psychiatric residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, both affiliates of Harvard University. With the looming prospect of being called into the U.S. Armed Forces under the Doctor Draft, Coles joined the Air Force in 1958, serving as chief of neuropsychiatric services at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was honorably discharged in 1960, after which he returned to Boston to finish his child psychiatry training at Children's Hospital.
In 1960, Coles married Jane Hollowell, and the couple moved to New Orleans, where Coles became embroiled in the tumultuous world of racial segregation and civil rights activism. His experiences during this period, particularly his involvement with Ruby Bridges, the young African American girl who famously integrated a white school in New Orleans, would shape his writing and inform his advocacy for social justice.
Coles' work is characterized by a deep commitment to empathy, compassion, and social justice. He has long argued that the well-being of children is inextricably linked to the health of society as a whole, and has advocated for a more nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between individual experience and social context.
As a pioneering child psychiatrist, author, and advocate, Robert Coles has left an enduring legacy in the fields of psychiatry, education, and social justice. His tireless commitment to understanding and alleviating human suffering has inspired countless individuals, and his work continues to shape our understanding of the complexities of childhood and adolescence.
Born in 1902
Developed the theory of psychosocial development, which proposes that individuals go through eight stages of development from infancy to old age, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities. His work has had a significant impact on our understanding of human development and identity formation.
Born in 1895
A pioneering psychoanalyst who expanded on her father Sigmund Freud's work, developing child psychoanalysis and ego psychology, and founded the Hampstead Child Therapy Course.
Born in 1903
A renowned psychologist and author who wrote extensively on autism, child development, and the importance of fairy tales in childhood education. His work continues to influence modern child psychology and education.
Born in 1896
Developed groundbreaking theories on child cognitive development and learning, emphasizing active discovery and hands-on experience. His work has shaped modern education and parenting practices.
98 Years Old
Developed a theory of moral development, proposing that people progress through six stages of moral reasoning, from obedience to universal ethical principles. His work has had a significant impact on education and moral philosophy.
83 Years Old
Developed the theory of multiple intelligences, which challenges traditional notions of intelligence and proposes that there are multiple types of cognitive abilities. Known for his work in education and cognitive psychology.
