ABSTRACT
Reading treatments of Robert M. Yerkes in recent literature in the history of psychology would lead one to believe that his primary research interest was mental testing. Although Yerkes clearly had an impact on the testing movement, he engaged in a broad range of activities. If one must choose a single, defining activity in his life, it would be the fulfillment of his dream for the establishment of a laboratory for the study of the great apes, not his work on testing. I shall consider Yerkes’ life and work broadly: first summarizing the major events of his life, then considering Robert Yerkes, the man, and finally, examining some aspects of his career and scientific work as they relate to his personality and his time.
