Alexis Martinez
Dr. Easton Intro to Psych
Life and works of Mary Calkins

Born to a Wolcott and Charlotte Whiton Calkins, Mary Calkins was the start of her mother and fathers five-child family entering the world on March 30th 1863 in Hartford, Connecticut. Mary’s father developed a strong family structure and kept the family intertwined and close to each other. Even through her college years she took influences from her father about her education and began Smith College in 1882 only have finished and graduated in 1884 with a degree in philosophy and Greek studies, however Mary didn’t end her education there. Naturally Mary attempted to attain a job revolving around her degree, which she landed at the Wellesley College as a tutor in the Greek department. Her successes shined as a tutor for three years all the way through to a fellow colleague who offers Calkins an opportunity to expand into the psychology. Terms of advancement were for Mary to study Psychology for a year and in turn be able to teach it for the department at Wellesley. Mary had many reputable schools to have chose from to attend as a student for her second go around of studies however ended up as guest sit in student to Harvard University in lectures given by Josiah Royce and William James. Living in an era where women did have some opportunities those did not extend to women being registered students at Harvard. In her studies Calkins battled Harvard for her well-earned degree after completed all requirements at doctorate status yet failed in getting the Harvard institution to grant her such degree solely based on her sex. Although she may not have the degree itself Calkins is widely accepted as the first female to have earned a doctoral degree in the field of psychology and awarded through the University of Columbia in 1909 with Doctors of letters and in 1910 by the Smith College a Doctor of