Julian Meltzoff, Ph.D.

When he returned to civilian life after WWII, Julian Meltzoff entered graduate school and earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. He subsequently served as Chief Psychologist in several Veterans Administration facilities in Philadelphia and New York. The V.A. was the largest employer and training site for psychologists in the country. Over a period of about 30 years he heard innumerable veterans describe their experiences in five different wars: Spanish...See more

When he returned to civilian life after WWII, Julian Meltzoff entered graduate school and earned his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. He subsequently served as Chief Psychologist in several Veterans Administration facilities in Philadelphia and New York. The V.A. was the largest employer and training site for psychologists in the country. Over a period of about 30 years he heard innumerable veterans describe their experiences in five different wars: Spanish-American, WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars. He and psychologists he supervised helped countless veterans come to grips with their memories and to cope with their contemporary life problems. After leaving Federal service he moved to California and served as Director of Research and Professor of Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego for nearly another two decades. He retired at the age of 76 and was appointed Professor Emeritus. During his professional career Dr. Meltzoff authored three widely read texts: "The Day Treatment Center: Principles, Application and Evaluation", with R. Blumenthal. "Research in Psychotherapy", with M. Kornreich, and "Critical Thinking About Research: Psychology and Related Fields." He has also written a number of book chapters and numerous articles in scientific journals. Once he had finally retired, Dr. Meltzoff discovered a latent talent as a sculptor and has produced more than 200 pieces. One of them, the portrayal of a wounded German soldier, is illustrated in Memories of WWII. When he attained the age of 90, he felt that it was time to share his memories of the war with succeeding generations. He fervently hopes that they will be spared from having to experience war first-hand for themselves. See less