Biography

Childhood and early life

Kurt Lewin was born on September 9, 1890—what he himself called "the ninth nine of 90" in the small town of Mogilno, which is now part of Poland. At the time of Lewin's birth, however, it belonged to imperial Germany. His father, Leopold Lewin, ran a small general store on the ground floor of the family's home. The Lewins also owned a small farm a few miles outside Mogilno, where Kurt acquired a love of nature and enjoyed the freedom to explore the nearby fields and forests. He also had his own garden and became a skilled amateur mechanic.

Lewin's mother Recha was a warmhearted and energetic woman who reared her four children while she worked in the family store. Hertha, the firstborn child, was the only daughter. Kurt was the oldest of the three sons; his younger brothers were named Egon...