Henry A. Murray: an appreciation.

Abstract

Psychoanalysis might profit from Henry A. Murray’s need-press schemata or from his systematization of the concept of projection. Murray had the psychoanalytic training, the experimental know-how and the flexibility and vitality to create whatever the circumstances called for. That Murray is deeply imbued with an almost mystical need to search is evidenced by his life-long interest in Moby Dick—that romantic American version of the Faust theme. The Harvard Psychological Clinic Annex is called the Balleen, and an imprint of the mighty whale serves often as Henry Murray’s informal signature. There are frozen faced men who, with impeccable judgment, are ever ready to guard against the smallest error in irrelevant issues and who meet with a total lack of imagination every problem of importance.