New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-08-27
WILLIAM JAMES DEAD
Well Known Harvard Professor
Expires at Summer Home.

f6roTuS.
William James If Harvard University, one
Of Americas foremost philosophers. dlHd
suddenly to-day az his summer home here
Although he had been III for some time, MS
death was unexpected
Professor James had been At his summer
home her. only = week having arrived a.
Quebec last FRIDAY from Europe, where ne
had been travelling for several months He
had gone abroad originally 70 be AZ th.
bedside Of his brother, Henry James. The
noted English author. who was sick
Professor James became III about month
ago. and his further travels were made
honneuard by easy stages. The condition
Of the philosopher was not then consfd-
cred such as 70 call for extraordinary
n1es sures. At Quebec Professor James was
taken in care by hts son William James.
IT. and came Immediately 70 his summer
home here.
William James. in'ths field If psychology
cal research. exerted an influence hardly
less potent and fsr-rescbing than that OF
his more famous brother. Henry, in the
realm of pure literature His metaphysical
writings are classic in Europe as well a.
America being especially significant in the
had few equals. He was the founder OF
several important theories which bear his
name He confined his work in philosophy
to keen I'd original meta physical snsly-
sis. His trend Of thought was strongly
rather than the absolute system Of the Ger
mans He was ono of the most powerful
opponents Of modern pragna tisTn, the sys-
-ha
the truth of theory its practical conse-
quences. The present prevalence Of that
philosophical position in Europe ana
america was due 10 him
The mental brilliancy OF the James
brothers was heritage from their father.
the elder Henry James theoiosian, lect-
urer and essayist of distinction, whose
works his son. William. edited and pub
Iished in 1855. William was born IN Ne"
York CITY in 1872, and here prepared FOR
college AS the early bent of his mind was
along the lines Of physical science. he en-
tered the Lawrence Scientific School ol
Harvard University in 1861 and received the
degree of NJ D. from Harvard in 1853 SUD
sequentIy he received many other degrees
from various institutions-Ph- D. and LII
D.. from Padua, in 1898; LII Ds-- from
Princeton in 1896: from Edinburgh, IN 1872,
and from Harvard. in 1903; D. Sc, from
Oxford, in 1905; Lit. D., from Durham, N
1908, and D. Sc, from Geneva, in 1853
Professor James began his work as an
educator at Harvard in 1872 as instructor
in physiology. Four years later ne BE-
came an assistant professor in that de-
partment, but by 1880 he had found him
self and was transferred TO the depart
ment Of philosophy In 1885 he became full
professor of philosophy. From 1879 to 1897
he was professor of psychology In the lat
ter wear he resumed the chair Of philoso-
phv retaining it till he retired as pro-
lessor emeritus three years ago.
During his career he lectured al many
foreign universities. He was the GiTord
lecturer at the University OF Edinburgh
from, 1899 TO 1901: the HILBERT lecturer on
.nhflosophy at Oxford. in 1905: correspond
ing member of the Academy of Moral and
Political Sciences of the Institute de
France the Royal Prussian Academy or
Sciences, the Royal Denmark Academy or
Sciences. the Academia de Lincei, the
Beale dInstituto Lombardo, the British
Academy. the National Academy OF Sci
ences and many others.
Professor James was greatly interested
in the investigation or So-calIeO spiFllUdl
demonstrations In 1884 he became one of
the founders of the American Society for
PsychicaI Research. In his reports on these
however. he was forced TO
confess himself for the most part disap-
pointed TO ind only tricllery. In the sin
gle instance OF Mrs. Piper. of Arlington,
Mass however, ne found phenomena which
he was unable TO explain on physical
basis.
Among his books are principles of Psy-
chology." Observation-Disclosures Course
The VIII TO Believe; and Other Essays
in Popular Philosophy Talks 10 Teacn-
ers on Psychology and TO Students on
Iife's Ideals Human Immortality-Two
Supposed Objections 10 the Doctrine
The Varieties of Religious Experiences
.'Pra gma tisnl-A New Name for some Old
Ways of Thinking