Lecture discusses roles of Kinsey, Wells

During the 1940s then-IU president Herman B Wells was expanding the campus, and Alfred Kinsey was compiling data on the sexual behavior of students at IU. While the two men played different roles, they both fought for academic freedom.\nJames Capshew, associate professor of history and philosophy of science, said anyone "with a cursory knowledge of the Kinsey reports on human sexuality knows the reference to Herman B Wells."\nCapshew explored "The Man Behind Kinsey" Friday as part of the History and Philosophy of Science Fall 2000 Colloquium Series. \nBecky Wood, administrative assistant for the history and philosophy of science department, said Capshew spoke on Wells because "it's a subject that's near and dear to him." \nProtecting Kinsey was a huge part of Wells' administration, Capshew said. Wells deflected angry letters by invoking the principle of academic freedom, persuaded the University to allow Kinsey to do his research and recruited subjects for Kinsey, he said.\nCapshew is working on a biography of Wells along with Paul Gebhard, who served as director of the Kinsey Institute from 1956-1982. \nThe story of Wells and Kinsey began in 1938 when the Association of Women Students petitioned IU to offer a course for women intending to be married, according to www.kinsey institute.org. \nKinsey, who had a degree is biology, was chosen to teach the course. The course launched a new chapter in Kinsey's life -- one devoted to sex research.\nThat same year Wells was appointed president of IU.\n Wells, with a fondness for the arts and humanities, was an unlikely supporter, Capshew said. He was not above aiding research in a discreet way, Capshew said. Wells sent a letter to Sigma Nu encouraging them to cooperate with Kinsey's studies. He successfully recruited the whole house to participate in research. \nAware of the controversy that awaited Kinsey's "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male," Wells worked with him to incorporate the institute before its publication. In 1947, the Kinsey Institute was born.\nWells ensured Kinsey he would have the support of the trustees before the book was published in 1948, said Catherine Johnson, curator of art, artifacts and photography for the Kinsey Institute. Johnson said she believes it is possible the Kinsey Institute would not exist today without the support of Wells.\n Wells and Kinsey had what Capshew called an "arms-length relationship." While Wells supported Kinsey in his research endeavors, he never accepted Kinsey's invitations to his Sunday musicals or to visit the Institute. \n "He evidently did not feel the need to cultivate a social relationship with Kinsey," Johnson said, "even though he clearly respected Kinsey as a scientist and IU faculty member." \nTheir relationship did not evolve into more than a professional relationship despite the rumors that Wells was homosexual, Capshew said. \nAfter Capshew finished sharing his research on Wells and Kinsey, the floor was open to discussion. The audience was interested in whether Wells' alleged homosexuality was the reason he defended Kinsey's research, but Capshew said he didn't want that to be the focus of the discussion.\n"My research doesn't suggest anything of that sort," Capshew said. "People want to make that leap, and I refuse to do it."\nJohnson said she respected Capshew for not jumping to any conclusions about Wells' private life.\nAs a biographer, Capshew said he is interested in all aspects of Wells' life and all of Wells' relationships. Since a huge part of Wells' administration was protecting Kinsey, he said he knew this was an important area to investigate.\nThe History and Philosophy of Science Fall 2000 Colloquium Series are from 4-6 p.m. Fridays in Ballantine Hall 003, unless otherwise specified. The next talk, Science book collectors and their impact on history and science by Joel Silver of the Lilly Library, will be Nov. 10.