Boris Sidis

Boris Sidis (/ˈsaɪdɪs/; October 12, 1867 – October 24, 1923) was an American psychopathologist, psychologist, physician, psychiatrist, and philosopher of education. Sidis founded the New York State Psychopathic Institute and the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. He was the father of child prodigy William James Sidis. Boris Sidis eventually opposed mainstream psychology and Sigmund Freud, and thereby died ostracized. He was married to a maternal aunt of Clifton Fadiman, the American intellectual.

Born in the Russian Empire, Sidis emigrated to the U.S. to escape political persecution. According to Amy Wallace, he was imprisoned for two years. Sidis fled the pogroms with his wife and children. He proceeded to complete four degrees at Harvard University and sought to provide insight into why people behave as they do. Sidis died in 1923, age 56.

Early life

Boris Sidis was born on October 12, 1867, in Berdichev, to Jewish parents. Boris emigrated to the U.S. in 1887 to escape political persecution. Due to the May Laws, he was imprisoned for at least two years, according to William James Sidis' biographer, Amy Wallace. He later credited his ability to think to this long solitary confinement.¹ His wife, Sarah Mandelbaum Sidis, M.D., and her family fled the pogroms about 1889.

Career and views

Boris completed four degrees at Harvard (a B.A., , and ) and studied under . He was influential in the early 20th century, known for pioneering work in (founding the New York State Psychopathic Institute and the ), /, and . He is also noted for vigorously applying the principles of to the study of psychology.