Aubrey Spencer Escoffery
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Dr. Aubrey Spencer Escoffery (April 10, 1923-January 5, 2023) was an African American psychologist and a founding member of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi).[1].
Early life and education[edit]
Aubrey Spencer Escoffery was born on April 10, 1923 in New Haven, Connecticut. He lived with his father (Gerald Summerville Escoffery), mother (Flora Jefferson Escoffery), and brother[2]. Aubrey received his elementary education at Baldwin School and Dwight School in New Haven. He attended high school in West Haven[3].
After high school, Escoffery aspired to pursue post secondary education, but due to family circumstances, was unable to attend Howard University despite having a full tuition scholarship. He worked several jobs after high school including joining the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in August 1940, and working at a car dealership and at the Winchester Rifle Company[4].
Escoffery maintained his educational pursuits by completing a special program in Mechanical Engineering and attending Yale University for Math and Education courses.
Military experience[edit]
Escoffery withdrew from the college courses after receiving notice that he would be induced into the Army in March 1943. He was stationed at Camp Devons in Ayers, Massachusetts. After completing basic training, Escoffery was sent to Fort Dix in New Jersey. He was then sent to Casablanca, Morocco were he spent several weeks[5].
Education and early career[edit]
In 1946, at the age of 22, Escoffery applied to several schools and accepted an offer at Columbia University where he hoped to pursue journalism. Despite his initial interest in journalism, Escoffery found himself drawn to experimental psychology. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1950 and then earned his master's degree in 1951.
Escoffery secured a teaching job at Virginia State College in 1951 in the psychology department.
Escoffery received a PhD in Personality/ Clinical Psychology from University of Connecticut. He served as Assistant Professor in Psychology at Virginia State College and as a Lecturer to Central State Hospital.
In 1967, Aubrey was employed at the Psychology Department at the University of Connecticut and taught social psychology courses.
In 1968, Aubrey was asked to develop coursework on the Psychology of African Americans at the Virginia Commonwealth University of Richmond. He developed and taught the first course offered in Virginia on the psychology of African Americans which was informed by Freudian and behaviorist concepts. He taught this course at other institutions including Norfolk State University and Hampton University[6].
Involvement with ABPsi[edit]
Escoffery had been a member of the American Psychological Association and attended several conventions. He networked with other Black psychologists and these conversations amongst peers resulted in the formation of Black caucus in September 1968[7]. Concerns about racism within the field of psychology and other related disciplines were often a topic of discussion. Dissatisfaction with the APA led to the formation of a separate organization to address the concerns of Black psychologist, the Association of Black Psychologists. This group elected its first Chairperson, Charles Thomas, and co-chaired by Robert Green.
Later Career[edit]
In 1970, Escoffery left his position at Virginia State College and became Head of the Department of Psychology at Norfolk State College in which he was tasked with revolutionizing the department. He spent a considerable portion of his career (1970-1983) advancing psychology at the university by hiring additional faculty, securing grants, developing curriculum, and helping to establish a Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology.
Escoffery took on several senior administrative positions within academic settings including Chair of the Psychology Department in 1988 at Hampton University until 1990, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor in 1992 at City State University in North Carolina, and Provost/ Executive Vice President in 1997 at Edwards Water College in Jacksonville Florida[8]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Obituary". Metropolitan Funeral Service. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ↑ "Dr. Aubrey S. Escoffery and Dr. Renee Escoffery-Torres". Teachers in the Movement. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 1434396630. Search this book on
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 9781434396631. Search this book on
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 1434396630. Search this book on
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 9781434396631. Search this book on
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 1434396630. Search this book on
- ↑ Williams, Robert. History of the Association of Black Psychologists: Profiles of Outstanding Black Psychologists. AuthorHouse. pp. 167–186. ISBN 9781434396631. Search this book on
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