Robert Prentiss Daniel facts for kids

Robert Prentiss Daniel (born November 2, 1902, died January 5, 1968) was an important African-American psychologist and educator. He was a scholar who studied how people learn and think. He also led two colleges as their president. Robert Daniel was born in Ettrick, Virginia, and was one of eight children.

Personal Life

In 1929, Robert Daniel married Blanche Ardell Taylor. She was from Richmond. After Blanche passed away, he married Marie Plummer Orsot in 1966. Marie was from North Carolina.

Academic Journey

Robert P. Daniel graduated from Virginia Union University in 1924. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with great honors. He was the top student in his class. After graduating, he taught math and English for two years. In 1926, he became a professor who taught about education.

Daniel then went to Columbia University for more schooling. He earned a master's degree in education in 1928. In 1932, he received his Ph.D. in educational psychology. This field studies how people learn and how teaching methods work. While studying, he also worked at Virginia Union University. He was a professor of education and psychology. He also led special learning programs there.

From 1932 to 1936, Daniel led the department for studying how people learn and think at Virginia Union University. During the summers of 1935 and 1936, he was a guest professor at Hampton Institute in Virginia.

In 1936, when he was 33 years old, Daniel became the President of Shaw University in North Carolina.

Later, in 1950, the Virginia State Board of Education chose Daniel to be president of Virginia State College. He worked there until he passed away in 1968.

Important Studies

Robert P. Daniel made big contributions to how we understand educational psychology. He also helped develop the field of Black psychology. This field looks at the experiences of African Americans.

One of his most important studies was published in 1932. It was called "A Psychological Study of Delinquent Negro Boys." This was the first study of its kind. Daniel looked at differences in personality traits. He compared Black boys who had behavior problems with those who did not. He gave them tests to measure their mental ability, personality, and trustworthiness. He found that the two groups showed differences in their actions and feelings. Daniel hoped his work would help future studies on Black youth and their personalities.

Daniel also wrote an article with his brother, Walter G. Daniel. It was called "The Curriculum of the Negro College." They looked at education for Black students. They noticed that Black colleges were often behind American educational standards. However, their courses were very similar to those at White colleges. The Daniel brothers argued that the way colleges were approved kept Black colleges from trying new teaching methods. They believed that America's racial system made it harder for Black students to succeed. They suggested that Black colleges needed more money, resources, and strong leaders. This would help them offer the best learning and scholarship.

In 1960, while he was President of Virginia State College, Daniel wrote another important article. It was called "Relationship of the Negro Public College and the Negro Private and Church-Related College." This article described the state of higher education for Black students. Private and church-related colleges for Black students were started first. White missionaries began them after the Reconstruction period. Publicly funded Black colleges started later. But by the mid-1940s, most Black students chose public colleges.

Daniel explained why this change happened. Public colleges often cost less. They also had more courses, better teachers, and better facilities. Daniel concluded that no matter which path Black youth took for higher education, their success depended on their ability to make their lives "count for good." He urged Black institutions to adapt to a changing world. He wanted them to excel in all areas of study.

Contributions and Affiliations

Robert P. Daniel was part of many professional groups. These included the American Psychological Association and the National Education Association. He also served on the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Inter-Racial Commission from 1936 to 1950. In 1948, he received an award for his excellent service in education from the National Urban League.

In 1953, Daniel was chosen to be president of the Conference of Presidents of Negro Land Grant Colleges.

He was also an ordained Baptist minister. He served on various church boards. He was a member of the commission on Interracial Activities for the Boy Scouts of America. He was also an active member of the YMCA.