Autobiographical memoir of Howard W. Potter, a child psychiatrist who specialized in the treatment of mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed children. It covers his childhood in Union and Elizabeth, N.J., his medical education at Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons (M.D., 1913), and his further training at Bellevue Hospital and the Bloomingdale Asylum. It describes his professional career at Letchworth Village, a New York State institution for "mental defectives;" the New York State Psychiatric Institute; the College of Physicians and Surgeons; and the Long Island College of Medicine, where he was instrumental in having the College taken over by the State University of New York in 1949. He served the new institution, called Downstate Medical Center, as Dean in 1954-1957. The memoir goes on to describe his active retirement as a visiting professor and consultant, primarily in the Philippines. Throughout the memoir, Potter's family life, residences, and travels are extensively covered.

This is a photocopy of the original typescript included in an eight-volume autobiography compiled by Potter in the 1970s-80s. The material not reproduced here was composed of copies of correspondence, diplomas, honorary degrees, and photographs.