Burt, Sir Cyril

Burt, Sir Cyril (Lodowic)

(born March 3, 1883, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Eng.—died Oct. 10, 1971, London) British psychologist. He taught at the University of London (1924–50), becoming known for his pioneering work in educational psychology, especially mental testing and statistical analysis. His studies of human intelligence convinced him that intelligence was primarily inherited. Subsequent examination indicated that he had fabricated some of the data, though some of his earlier work remained unaffected by this revelation. His books, which were very popular in England and went through many editions, include The Factors of the Mind (1940), The Backward Child (1961), The Young Delinquent (1965), and The Gifted Child (1975).