M. Robert Gardner (1924-2018) Papers, 1998-2002

M. Robert Gardner was born August 7, 1924 in Manhattan and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from Columbia School of Physicians and Surgeons.

Gardner completed his psychoanalytic training at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (BPSI), and worked at the Boston Psychopathic Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard University Health Services. He also spearheaded the foundation of the Psychoanalytic Institute of New England (PINE) in 1975.

Gardner was stationed in San Antonio from 1951-1952 during the Korean War as a captain in the Air Force. He then taught at BPSI and at the newly formed PINE. He was a psychoanalyst and teacher of psychiatry and psychoanalysis for over fifty years.

He was the author of several books including Self-Inquiry; Hidden Questions, Clinical Musings; On Trying to Teach; Cher Pierre: A Guide to Paris, Its People, and Their Language; and On Trying to Paint. Gardner also wrote and lectured extensively on the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh.

Robert Gardner raised six children with his wife of 60 years, Betsy, in Cambridge, MA.

The M. Robert Gardner (1924-2018) Papers, 1998-2002, 1 manuscript box, is a collection of notes, writings and images that M. Robert Gardner had written or collected surrounding the life of Vincent Van Gogh.

 

Finding Aid for this collection is available here.


Related BPSI Collections

PINE Collection, 1973-2011

Judy L. Kantrowitz (1938- ) Papers, 1973-2011 (Ongoing)

Arthur Valenstein’s Papers (1940-2010)

Audiovisual Materials – (See audio cassette 40, BPSI’s 50th anniversary video)

Related Sites

M. Robert Gardner Obituary – Boston Globe