Lightner Witmer | |
|---|---|
 Lightner Witmer | |
| Born | David L. Witmer Jr. June 28, 1867 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 19, 1956 (aged 89) Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | clinical psychology, child psychology, educational psychology |
Lightner Witmer (June 28, 1867 – July 19, 1956) was an American psychologist. He introduced the term "clinical psychology" and is often credited with founding the field that it describes. Witmer created the world's first "psychological clinic" at the University of Pennsylvania in 1896, including the first journal of clinical psychology and the first clinical hospital school in 1907.
Witmer contributed to numerous branches of psychology including school psychology. He contributed to the field of special education.
Little is known about Witmer's life. He is described as an introverted and private person.