Objective:

Investigate the trends of higher education through the life work of pioneering neuroscientist J.B. Johnston.

Background:

Dr. John Black Johnston (1868–1939) was an American neuroscientist who made significant contributions to the field of comparative neurology. He is best known for his landmark 1906 publication, The Nervous System of Vertebrates, which explored the organization of the nervous system. In addition to his research, Johnston was deeply involved in education, using his expertise as a neuroscientist and instructor of neurology at the University of Minnesota to influence teaching methods and curriculum development.

Design/Methods:

Nonsystematic database (PubMed, JSTOR, Internet Archive) literature search and University of Minnesota Archives.

Results:

JB Johnston began his career by categorizing cranial nerves into somatic and visceral sections and investigating the embryological origin of taste buds. He joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1907, where he spent several years lecturing on neurology and embryology. In the latter half of his career, he focused on developing pedagogical approaches for educating college students, exploring how higher education fosters culture and democracy. His philosophy behind the College Aptitude Test for Minnesota colleges, which he designed to place students into professions, was outlined in his manuscript Education of Youth in a Democracy. This work combines themes of eugenics with calls for a democratic meritocracy, all framed by a social Darwinist approach to science and education.

Conclusions:

Dr. Johnston's dual contributions to neuroscience and education highlight his diverse intellectual pursuits, ranging from the intricacies of the nervous system to the complexities of shaping educational systems. While his work in neurology remains widely recognized, his influence on education—though more controversial—reflects his broader efforts to apply scientific principles to societal structures, leaving a lasting, albeit complicated, legacy in both fields.