Origins & Early Life

Robert Plomin (born February 20, 1948) is an American-British psychologist and geneticist best known for his research in behavioral genetics and the genetic basis of cognitive abilities, personality, and mental health. Since 1994, he has been a Research Professor at the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre (SGDP), a department in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. Plomin is widely recognized as an influential figure in behavioral science, particularly for his leadership in the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) and for advancing the use of molecular genetics in psychology. A Review of General Psychology survey, published in 2002, ranked Plomin as the 71st most cited psychologist of the 20th century.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is the author of several books on genetics and psychology. Plomin was born in Chicago to a family of Polish-German extraction. In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, he recalled being suspended temporarily from elementary school for arguing about evolution with a teacher, an experience he said pushed him toward a scientific worldview and away from religion. He graduated high school from DePaul...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abby Aldrich Rockefeller — Contemporary (Died in 1948) (1948): American socialite and influential philanthropist, key patron of modern art.
• Abdullah Öcalan — Contemporary (Born in 1948) (1948): Founder of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and advocate for Kurdish rights.
• Abdulrazak Gurnah — Contemporary (Born in 1948) (1948): Acclaimed Tanzanian novelist and Nobel laureate exploring themes of colonialism and refuge.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Shared historical date (02-20 · Born) (1763): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Ansel Adams — Shared historical date (02-20 · Born) (1902): Iconic photographer and environmentalist celebrated for the American West's landscapes.
• Akira Mutō — Historical peer (Died in 1948) (1948): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• Akira Yoshino — Historical peer (Born in 1948) (1948): Pioneering chemist credited with the first safe, production-viable lithium-ion battery.
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• Alexia Putellas — Historical peer (Born in 1994) (1994): One of the greatest female footballers, known for her midfield prowess and success with Barcelona and Spain.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• 1948 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1948
• February 20 (02-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 20