James L. Mursell: An Annotated Bibliography

Abstract

JAMES L. MURSELL was a prolific author of articles and books in the fields of music, psychology, and education which have had a pronounced effect on many aspects of American education. This writer has made a studyl of Mursell's views, concepts, and educational theories and has attempted to delineate the part that Mursell played in the development of school music in the United States. An annotated bibliography is presented with a hope that it will reveal the extent of Mursell's literary works and possibly engender further studies regarding the psychological, educational, and musical sources that influenced his thinking. Mursell was born in Derby, England, on June 1, 1893 and was educated at Edinburgh Academy in Scotland, Taunton School at Taunton, England, and at Kyre College, Adelaide, South Australia. He came to the United States in 1915 and studied at the Union Theological Seminary and at Harvard University where he received his doctor of philosophy degree in 1918. He taught psychology and education (1921-1923) at Lake Erie College and education (1923-1935) at Lawrence College. In 1935 he came to Teachers College, Columbia University, as an associate professor of education. He became a full professor in 1939 and head of the department of music and music education in 1940. Dr. Mursell retired in 1959 and died at his home in North Conway, New Hampshire, in January of 1963.