Robert Palmer Knight (July 18, 1902 – April 30, 1966) was an American psychoanalyst. He served as the medical director of the Austen Riggs Center from 1947 until his death in 1966.

Robert P. Knight
Knight in 1949
Born
Robert Palmer Knight

(1902-07-18)July 18, 1902
DiedApril 30, 1966(1966-04-30) (aged 63)
Education
OccupationPsychoanalyst
TitleMedical Director at Austen Riggs Center
Term1947–1966
PredecessorCharles H. Kimberly
SuccessorOtto Allen Will Jr.
SpouseAdele Knight
Children6

Early life

edit

Knight was born on July 18, 1902, in Urbana, Ohio to William James Knight and Florence Dempcy Knight. He graduated from Oberlin College.[1] He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University.[2]

Career

edit

Knight served his psychiatric residency at the Menninger Clinic. He later became the clinic's chief of staff, and continued to work there until 1947, when he was appointed as medical director of the Austen Riggs Center. During his time there, he dedicated much of his attention to borderline personality disorder. He remained medical director there until his death in 1966.[1]

He served as president of the American Psychoanalytic Association from 1945 to 1946.[1]

Death

edit

Knight died of lung cancer on April 30, 1966, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. At the time of his death, he was married to Adele Baroudi Knight, with whom he had two daughters and a son. He also had three sons from a previous marriage.[3][1] He was buried in Stockbridge Cemetery.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Wexler, Henry (August 1, 1966). "In Memoriam Robert Palmer Knight 1902–1966". Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association. 14 (4): 853–857. doi:10.1177/000306516601400410.
  2. ^ "Dr. Robert P. Knight Dies, 64; Was Renowned Psychoanalyst". The Boston Globe. May 1, 1966. p. 95. Retrieved August 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "DR. ROBERT KNIGHT OF RIGGS CENTER; Medical Director of Mental Clinic Is Dead at 65". The New York Times. May 1, 1966. ProQuest 117083845. Retrieved August 3, 2021.