William Moulton Marston
Early Life and Education
William Moulton Marston was born on May 9, 1893, in the town of Saugus, to Annie Dalton and Frederick William Marston. He was raised in a middle-class family, with his father working as a house builder. Marston attended Harvard, where he studied law and psychology. He was particularly interested in the latter, which would later become a significant influence on his work.
Career and Contributions
After completing his studies, Marston embarked on a career that spanned various fields, including psychology, law, and writing. He is best known for his creation of the polygraph lie detector test and the comic book character Wonder Woman.
Polygraph
Marston's interest in psychology led him to develop the systolic blood pressure test, a crucial component of the modern polygraph. He was fascinated by the idea of uncovering deception and believed that changes in blood pressure could indicate when a person was lying. His work in this area laid the foundation for the development of the polygraph machine, which is still used in criminal investigations and security screenings today.
Wonder Woman
In addition to his contributions to psychology, Marston is also renowned for creating the iconic comic book character Wonder Woman. He was inspired by the women's rights movement and wanted to create a strong female character who could serve as a role model for young girls. Wonder Woman made her debut in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941 and has since become one of the most popular and enduring characters in the comic book world.
Personal Life and Legacy
Marston was married to Elizabeth Holloway Marston, a psychologist and attorney. They had two children together. Marston also had a long-term relationship with Olive Byrne, a former student and research assistant. The unconventional nature of Marston's personal life has been the subject of much discussion and analysis.
Marston died of cancer on May 2, 1947. His contributions to psychology and popular culture continue to be recognized and celebrated. The character of Wonder Woman remains a symbol of female empowerment, and the polygraph test, despite its controversies, is still widely used in various fields.