The Harvard Medical School Department of Neurology originated from a clinical practice established by James Jackson Putnam at Massachusetts General Hospital. A central figure in late nineteenth-century American medicine, he transitioned from traditional anatomical and physiological research to the emerging field of psychoanalysis, significantly influencing the trajectory of clinical psychology within the United States during the early 1900s.
Medical Training and Academic Development
Born in Boston in 1846, Putnam completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard College in 1866. He subsequently pursued advanced medical training in Europe, engaging in study alongside Baron Carl von Rokitansky, Theodor Meynert, and John Hughlings Jackson. Upon returning to the United States, he attended Harvard Medical School, earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1876. His academic career advanced steadily, culminating in his appointment as Professor of Diseases of the Nervous System at Harvard in 1893, a position he occupied until his retirement in 1912.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Neurological Contributions
Putnam established a significant clinical footprint through his work on the basal ganglia and his observations on endocrine pathology, specifically identifying that hyperthyroidism could lead to myxoedema. His name remains attached to Putnam’s acroparaesthesia, a condition identified by tingling, numbness, and discoloration of the hands upon waking. In collaboration with Charles L. Dana, he described the Putnam-Dana syndrome, which identifies generalized subacute neurological degeneration stemming from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Institutional Leadership and Psychoanalytic Advocacy
A founding member of the American Neurological Association in 1874, Putnam served as its president in 1888. By the turn of the century, his interests shifted toward the psychological roots of illness. He was instrumental in facilitating Sigmund Freud’s visit to the United States in 1909. In 1911, he helped found the American Psychoanalytical Association, serving as its inaugural president. His scholarly output during this period included the introduction to the English translation of Freud’s Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex and the publication of works such as Human Motives.
Fast facts
- Born: 1846, Boston, United States
- Died: 1918, Boston, United States
- Education: Harvard College, Harvard Medical School
- Professional Affiliations: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Key Leadership: First President, American Psychoanalytical Association
- Notable Clinical Work: Putnam-Dana syndrome
- Professional Associations: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Questions readers ask
What specific medical condition is named after Putnam?
Putnam’s acroparaesthesia, which involves numbness, tingling, and discoloration of the hands, as well as the Putnam-Dana syndrome, a form of subacute neurological degeneration.
What was Putnam's role in the American psychoanalytic movement?
He was a primary advocate for the field in the United States, helped organize Sigmund Freud’s 1909 visit, and served as the first president of the American Psychoanalytical Association.
Achievements
- Held posts at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital