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Primary sourcePhotographc. 1910

William James and Josiah Royce in Chocorua

Margaret Mary James · c. 1910

A snapshot of William James with fellow philosopher Josiah Royce, taken by James's daughter Margaret Mary James.

This informal photograph shows James's personal friendship with fellow philosopher Josiah Royce, taken by James's own daughter.

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Black and white outdoor photograph of two seated men on a stone wall in a field with trees behind. The man on the left has a full beard, a dark jacket, a light vest and bow tie, and leather boots. The man on the right has white hair, looks down, and wears a dark suit with his hands clasped on his knee.
Margaret Mary James, William James and Josiah Royce in Chocorua, NH, c. 1910. Houghton Library, Harvard University.

About this source

What it is

This photograph shows William James seated outdoors with the philosopher Josiah Royce at Chocorua, New Hampshire. It was taken by James's daughter, Margaret Mary James.

Why it matters

James and Royce were close friends and also intellectual rivals who debated major philosophical questions of their time. This informal photograph, taken by a family member, shows their personal friendship outside the lecture hall.

Look closer

  • What does the informal, outdoor setting suggest about the relationship between these two men?
  • Why might a family photograph show a different side of a historical figure than a formal portrait?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of William James on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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