James Birren, American gerontologist, Died at 97

  Reseacher

James E. Birren was born on April 4, 1918, in Chicago. and died on January 15, 2016.

He was one of the founders of the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s, although the term itself dates to circa 1903).

He was a previously the president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications.

James wanted to study engineering, but he enrolled in Wright Junior College to study technical subjects.

He changed his mind due to the Great Depression in America and decided to transfer to Chicago Teachers College to pursue what he thought to be a more practical career.

James took his first course in psychology, and he was encouraged by his professors to attend graduate school at Northwestern University.

He was influenced by his time as a graduate student studying experimental psychology at Northwestern University.

His wife, Betty, in 1942.

After becoming emeritus of The University of Southern California at the age of 71 in 1989, he went on to establish another institution of gerontology.

James developed the Borun Center for Gerontological Research at University of California, Los Angeles.

He then became the Associate Director of the Center for Aging at UCLA, and he continued publishing until he retired from the position in 2003.

James Birren passed away at 97 yrs old.