The seminal contributions of Théodule Ribot (1839-1916): The centenary of the passing of the founder of modern French psychology.

Today the name and contributions of Théodule Ribot (1839-1916) are little remembered. The centenary of Ribot's passing is thus a unique occasion to honor him as one of the great figures of psychology. Not only did he play a major role in the development of psychology in France, but he also became a major international figure of psychology at the turn of the 20th century. Since that time, his work has deeply influenced generations of psychologists. At the international level, 1. he can be credited as having held in France the first Chair entitled “Experimental Psychology” (1885: Sorbonne; 1888: Collège de France); 2. he was the acting president of the very first International Congress of Physiological Psychology, held in Paris in 1889; 3. his reputation as a psychological researcher wentmuch beyond the French borders, having introduced the pathological method in psychology, and most of his books were translated, at the time, in English and other languages (Spanish, German, Italian, etc.). Interestingly, this paper shows Ribot was in close contact with other great figures of the time such as Wilhelm Wundt and William James. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]