Biography

Lillian Moller Gilbreth was born in Oakland, California and established a reputation as an intellectual and a teacher who helped to establish the academic acceptability of management. On completing school, she joined the University of California at Berkeley on a modern languages and philosophy course. 

Lillian received a B.Litt, and she was the first woman to make a presentation at the University's Commencement Day Programme. She attained an M.Litt in 1902, and a year later met husband-to-be Frank Gilbreth.

Frank presented her with a plan to become lifelong partners, devoting their time to advancing management and to having 12 children – which they did! 

Lillian's Ph.D thesis, The Psychology of Management, was completed at Brown University and published as a book. The author is listed as L.M. Gilbreth, and it is believed to be the first book to have both Psychology and Management in the title.

She believed that the way people worked and were treated were of equal importance, and attacked American businesses for not acting democratically. She is regarded as "The First Lady of Management".

Read More