The era of discovery in psychology was rapid and controversial, as some of the most unlikely individuals entered the realm of the new science. Some by accident due to their close work with other scientific fields and others with the direct intention of creating a new school of thought. During its inception and much of its history, deliberations about how psychology should be defined and what it should encompass have filled most scientific publications and closed-door discussions. As a result, in 1894, Lightner Witmer set out to define an applied psychology for helping children with learning disabilities. Lightner Witmer was born June 28, 1867 in Philadelphia. His name comes from his paternal great-grandmother, Jane Lightner, and although it was his middle name, he was known as Lightner growing up. Growing up in a family where there was a strong emphasis on education, Witmer attended the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1888. After graduating, he taught English and history at the Rugby Academy (McReynolds, 24, 1997). Witmer is known for helping a student with what he defined as verbal deafness. This revealed “that as early as 1889, Witmer was developing a clinical psychological orientation” (McReynolds, p. 25, 1997). It was around this time that Witmer's interest in a clinical approach began to surface. Eventually, Witmer decided to attend graduate school where he changed his major several times and then took a position as an assistant with James McKeen Cattell who opened "an experimental psychology laboratory focused on experimental psychology." on individual differences between people” (Thomas, p. 5, 2009). While settling into his new major in experimental psychology, he learned to lead...... middle of article...... science would not be the same without his many contributions. Works Cited American Psychological Association, Division 12. (2011). Society of Clinical Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org Baker, D., (1988). The psychology of Briquet Witmer. Professional school psychology. 3(2),109-121McReynolds, P., (1997). Witmer Lighter: His life and times. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. McReynolds, P., (1987). Psychology in Retrospect Lighter Witmer, little-known founder of clinical psychology. American psychologist. 42, n° 9, 849-858. Thomas, H., (2009). Discovering Lightner Witmer: a forgotten hero of psychology. Journal of Scientific Psychology. United States Census Bureau. (2007). Health care and social assistance. Retrieved from http://factfinder.census.gov Witmer, L. (1907b). Clinical psychology. The Psychological Clinic, 1, 1-9.