We’re continuing our theme week on Surprising Olympians today with Dr. Benjamin Spock. He was a pediatrician and best-selling author, but before that, he won a gold medal on the men’s rowing team at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris!
As a pediatrician in the 1930s, he noticed that the prevailing methods in pediatric care seemed to ignore the emotional needs of the child. He wanted to explore the psychological reasons behind common problems, so he trained in psychoanalysis.
In 1946, he published The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care. It revolutionized child care in the 1940s and 50s, favoring a more hands-on, affectionate approach that encouraged parents to trust their common sense and intuition. Spock became a household name when his book was featured on I Love Lucy. Lucy and Ricky were shown consulting his manual in several episodes when looking for advice on how to raise Little Ricky. The book sold 500,000 copies in its first 6 months of publication, becoming one of the best-selling books of the 20th century.
By the mid-60s, sales of the book had slowed due to Spock’s tarnished reputation after his involvement in protest of the Vietnam War. In the late 60s, many commentators even blamed him for helping to create the counterculture of the 1960s, believing the youth were rebellious and defiant in part because they had been raised with the Baby and Child Care book.
Spock continued updating the book, last working on its 7th edition, which was released 6 months after his death in 1998. He also continued rowing for the rest of his life, even placing 3rd in a 4-mile race at the age of 84. Learn more here.