Lisa Kuhmerker papers

Collection

Collection MS-2001-030: Lisa Kuhmerker papers

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1943 - 1998
Creation: Majority of material found within 1968 - 1989

Scope and Contents

The collection documents the professional work of Dr. Lisa Kuhmerker. It mainly consists of printed materials, such as articles, journals, newspaper clippings, curricula, and correspondence pertaining to the field of moral psychology and education.

The material authored by Kuhmerker includes articles, journals, educational songs, and dialogues, both published and unpublished. The bulk of the collection consists of materials authored by others in the field of moral psychology and education. Some of the more prominently represented authors include Lawrence Kohlberg, Carol Gilligan, James R. Rest, Thomas Lickona, Mark May, Robert L. Selman, and Lawrence J. Walker. Organizations, institutions, and programs with a moral psychology or education focus are also represented, such as the American Institute for Character Education, Center for Civic Education, Center for Humanities, Inc., Civic Education Project, The Giraffe Project, Great Britain School's Council, MACOS, and Research for Better Schools, Inc.

Creator

Kuhmerker, Lisa (Person)

Language of Materials

English, German, and Russian.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical Note

Lisa Marmorek (Kuhmerker) was born to Dr. Gustav and Klara Marmorek on October 7, 1926 in Vienna, Austria. She immigrated to the United States in 1938, and married Bruno Kuhmerker in 1948. She spent most of her professional life in the New York City area, before moving in the mid-1980s to Cambridge, Massachusetts to work for Harvard University.

Kuhmerker received a Bachelor's Degree from Brooklyn College and a Master's Degree and a Doctorate of Education and Psychology from Yale University. She worked with young children as both a nursery school and primary school teacher in her early career. As a children's educator, Kuhmerker focused on using music as an effective teaching tool. She wrote numerous songs and published a collection called We Sing and Read.

Kuhmerker began teaching at Mills College in New York City before becoming a Professor of Education at Hunter College. She retired from Hunter College in 1986 and began work for Harvard University's Center for Moral Development and Education. There she worked closely with Lawrence Kohlberg on issues related to moral psychology and education.

In 1976 Kuhmerker founded and was the first president of the Association for Moral Education, which aimed to focus more attention on the moral aspects of psychological and educational theory. The Association subsequently established two awards in Kuhmerker's name, the Kuhmerker Dissertation Award and Kuhmerker Career Award, which both recognize outstanding scholarship and service in the field. Kuhmerker also founded the Moral Education Forum and served as its editor for twenty years. In 1997 Kuhmerker established the Gifts of Time Charitable Foundation. This organization was dedicated to supporting individuals who wished to focus on the ideas and plans for making the world a better place to live. Kuhmerker was also a member of the Harvard Institute of Learning in Retirement.

Kuhmerker died on April 29, 1998 in Boston, Massachusetts, at age 71.

Sources:

Leaders in Education, Fifth Edition. New York: R.R. Bowker Co., 1974.

World Who's Who of Women. Cambridge: Melrose Press, 1973.

Extent

33.5 Linear Feet (77 containers)

Additional Description

Abstract

These papers document the professional work of Lisa Kuhmerker, a twentieth-century scholar specializing in the field of moral education and psychology. The collection consists primarily of print materials including articles, journals, newspaper clippings, curricula, as well as correspondence with other authors, researchers, and organizations pertaining to the field.

Arrangement

Arranged in five series: I. Professional life; II. Moral psychology and education writings; III. Moral psychology and education topics; IV. Moral psychology and education organizations, institutions, and programs; and V. Posters.

Series II is divided into three subseries: A. Authors, B. Bibliographies, and C. Journals.

The arrangement of the collection reflects the original order of materials as kept by Dr. Kuhmerker.

Provenance

Gift of Kathryn Kuhmerker Appel (2001).

Processing Information

The arrangement of these papers reflects the original order of materials as kept by Dr. Kuhmerker.

The original finding aid for this collection mistakenly listed the collection number for these materials as MS.2001.031. The correct identifier is MS.2001.030.