Sex researcher brings research project to IU amidst controversy, but remains an important part of university’s lasting legacy.
1920
Alfred Kinsey first comes to IU to study gall wasps, a type of insect known to create ball-shaped “galls” on plants and trees, and continues this research for the first 20 years of his time at IU.
1938
Kinsey begins his research on sexual behavior after teaching a class on marriage and family, which taught senior and married students what married life was like. Kinsey, along with three other staff, interviewed more than 17,000 people from 1938-1956.
1947
The Institute for Sex Research is established at IU with support from University President Herman B Wells.
1948
Kinsey’s first volume, “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male,” to come out of his research is released.
1953
His second volume, Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, is released.
1956
Alfred Kinsey dies. His three staff members continue interviewing and research until the project closes in 1963 after interviewing more than 18,000 people.
1981
The Institute for Sex Research is renamed the Kinsey Institute.
2004
The 2004 film “Kinsey” is released. The film cast Liam Neeson as Kinsey and described the life of the researcher.
Want more Kinsey? More information about Alfred Kinsey and the Kinsey Institute can be found online at kinseyinstitute.org
