Birth:  Hugo Munsterberg was born in Danzig, Germany on June 1, 1863.

Schooling:   When Munsterberg was 19 years old, he attended the University of Leipzig, where he mainly studied under Wundt.  He first was inclined to study medicine and philosophy, but he became very interested in psychology after hearing Wundt lecture.  He received his PhD in 1885, and then moved on to complete his MD degree in 1887, at the University of Heidelberg. (Stern, 1917). 

Interesting fact:  When Munsterberg was under his doctoral supervision with Wundt, his first experimental study was not accepted by Wundt because it contradicted Wundt's  beliefs that he held about consciousness and the nature of "Will" (Landy, 1992)

Career: Munsterberg began his career with the invitation from William James who resided in the United States.  James wanted Munsterberg to head the laboratory at Harvard for two reasons: First, he liked Munsterberg's theories (proposed action theory of behavior and consciousness, and theories on attention and perception) and secondly, James loathed the thought of having to run a laboratory and he hated experimentation.  (Landy, 1992) 

During the first three years at Harvard, he was very successful in contributing to the prestige of the laboratory, along with various publications and his influence in making psychological tests and experiments widespread.  These first three years at Harvard were considered a trial test to see whether or not Munsterberg would be a success at the University.  At the completion of this term, his widespread contributions could serve as a testament to his achievements.  

In 1899, he was elected to the Presidency of APA (American Psychological Association) and in 1900, he was also elected the Department Chair at Harvard University.  During 1908 he was elected President of the American Philosophical Association (Landy, 1992).

Death:  At the age of 53, Hugo Munsterberg was giving a lecture at Harvard, when he suddenly experienced a massive stroke, in which he died on December 17, 1916.  In his memoriam written by William Stern (1917), it stated, "Thus even to his last breath he was unceasingly active, as unceasing working was a dominant quality of his character."       

He was a strong supporter of Germany.  Later became one of the most hated individuals in psychology around WWI.

He was accused of being a spy for Germany.

He wrote almost all of his books in German, which then later had to be translated into English.

He was a great public speaker.

Many people consider him the founding father of Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Became a popular figure in American education.

Influenced Applied Psychology in the United States and Europe.

A personal friend of Presidents Roosevelt and Taft.

Views on women were controversial.  He supported Mary Calkins in receiving education, however, he thought that graduate work was too strenuous for women and that it would lead them away from their careers at home.

Munsterberg was against prohibition, and it just so happened that he received a 50,000 dollar contribution from Augustus Busch, a member of the beer family.  Other members of other beer companies as well contributed money (Landy, 1992).