Shakow, David

Life Dates

1901–1981

Educational Information

Born in New York City, David Shakow attended Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science. He began working toward his doctorate in psychology, but accepted a position at Worcester State Hospital in 1932 to support his family. In 1949, he accepted a position as professor in the psychiatry department at the University of Illinois Medical School. Two years later, he accepted a joint position to also serve as professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. In 1954, he left both of these positions to work at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). Shakow served as the first head of the Laboratory of Psychology in NIMH’s Intramural Research Program. In 1966 he retired from his position, but continued as a senior research psychologist [2].

Accomplishments

At Worcester State Hospital, Shakow began his research into schizophrenia. His research helped to establish basic facts about schizophrenia...