Jean Harlow
Consolidated timeline of significant life, career, and institutional events drawn from provided biographical excerpts for Jessica (Harloe) Karpov, Harry F. Harlow, Jean Harlow, Victor E. Harlow, and Bryce Harlow.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth of Victor Emmanuel Harlow
Victor E. Harlow was born in Chantilly, Lincoln County, Missouri on November 23, 1876.
Bachelor's degree from La Grange College
Victor Harlow received a bachelor's degree from La Grange, Missouri College in 1896.
President of Webb City College (age 22–25 approx.)
At 22 he was chosen president of Webb City College, serving from 1899 to 1901.
Master's degree from Shurtleff College
Victor Harlow earned a master's degree from Shurtleff College in Alton, Illinois in 1899.
Marriage to May Van Hooser
Victor Harlow married May Van Hooser in 1900; they had two children, Victor Jr. and William. May died in 1903.
Moved to Oklahoma Territory; became president of Northwestern Academy
Victor moved to Oklahoma Territory and became president of Northwestern Academy in Carrier (near Enid) and founded the Carrier Record newspaper.
Birth of Harry Frederick Israel (later Harlow)
Harry F. Harlow was born in Fairfield, Iowa to Mabel Rock and Alonzo Harlow Israel (later changed his surname to Harlow).
Founded Enid Democrat
Victor founded and edited the Enid Democrat (1906–1907), consolidating local papers as part of his publishing career.
Worked as campaign manager and Board of Public Affairs secretary
At Oklahoma statehood (1907), Harlow worked as campaign manager for Charles West and later organized the Board of Public Affairs as its secretary.
Purchased Shawnee Daily Herald (edited 1909–1911)
Victor bought and edited the Shawnee Daily Herald from 1909 to 1911 before selling and moving to Oklahoma City.
Married Gertrude Gindling; fathered four children
In 1911 Victor married Gertrude Gindling of St. Louis and they had four children: James, John, Dorothea, and Bryce.
Birth of Harlean Harlow Carpenter (Jean Harlow)
Harlean Harlow Carpenter (Jean Harlow) was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
Founded Harlow's Weekly
Victor founded 'Harlow's Weekly' in 1912, a regional publication and vehicle for civic boosterism.
Founded Harlow Publishing Company (Oklahoma City)
Victor founded the Harlow Publishing Company in 1915; it later became a leading Southwest textbook and historical publisher.
Enrolled at Stanford University
Harry Harlow attended Stanford University (entered 1924), initially as an English major before switching to psychology.
Dropped out of school and moved back to Kansas City
Jean Harlow dropped out at age 14 (spring 1925) and returned with her mother to Kansas City as finances dwindled.
Began dating Charles 'Chuck' McGrew III
While at Ferry Hall School Jean met and later dated Chuck McGrew; relationship became serious by fall 1926.
Married Charles McGrew III
Jean Harlow married Charles McGrew in 1928; soon after they moved to Los Angeles and lived in Beverly Hills.
Edited 'Oklahoma Leaders' (biographical work)
Victor edited the biographical compendium Oklahoma Leaders (1928).
First film appearance: 'Honor Bound' (uncredited extra)
Jean Harlow appeared as an unbilled extra in Honor Bound (1928), paid $7/day.
Signed five-year contract with Hal Roach Studios
In December 1928 Harlow signed a five-year contract with Hal Roach for $100 per week.
Separated and divorced from McGrew
Harlow separated from McGrew in June 1929 and the marriage ended in divorce later that year.
Signed five-year contract with Howard Hughes (Caddo Company)
On October 24, 1929 she signed a five-year contract with Howard Hughes paying $100/week and was cast in Hell's Angels.
Created and refurbished Primate Laboratory
Unable to get sufficient space at the department, Harlow acquired and renovated a vacant building into the University of Wisconsin Primate Laboratory—one of the first primate labs in the world and a training site for dozens of PhD students.
Appointed professor at University of Wisconsin–Madison
Immediately after his dissertation, Harlow accepted a professorship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and began nonhuman primate research.
Received Ph.D. from Stanford; changed surname to Harlow
Harry Harlow received his Ph.D. in psychology (1930) and, at Lewis Terman's prompting, changed his surname from Israel to Harlow.
Created Wisconsin General Testing Apparatus (WGTA)
Harlow developed the WGTA at the Henry Vilas Zoo/University of Wisconsin to study learning, cognition, and memory in primates.
Premiere of Hell's Angels (major breakthrough)
Hell's Angels premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 27, 1930; it became the highest-grossing film of the year and made Harlow an international star.
Starred in 'Red-Headed Woman' (MGM) and 'Red Dust'
Harlow's notable MGM roles began with Red-Headed Woman (1932) and Red Dust (1932) — key films that shaped her screen persona.
Established rhesus macaque breeding colony and nursery rearing
To secure infant primates for learning-set research, Harlow established a rhesus macaque breeding colony (1932) and nursery-rearing protocols (maternal deprivation model).
Married Paul Bern; Bern's death and scandal
Harlow married MGM executive Paul Bern in 1932; Bern was found dead two months into the marriage (officially ruled suicide), generating scandal but Harlow's popularity increased.
MGM purchased her contract from Hughes for $30,000
On March 3, 1932 (her 21st birthday) Louis B. Mayer purchased Harlow's contract from Hughes for $30,000; she officially joined MGM on April 20, 1932.
Box-office success with 'Hold Your Man' (with Clark Gable)
Harlow was paired with Clark Gable in multiple box-office hits, including Hold Your Man (1933), cementing her status as a major star.
Victor Harlow publishes and promotes Oklahoma civic life
Through Harlow's Weekly and Harlow Publishing, Victor promoted Oklahoma City as a convention center and civic hub; originated slogan 'Oklahoma City is the center of the eight-state southwest'.
Married Harold Rosson (planned to defuse scandal)
After an affair produced scandal, MGM arranged a marriage between Harlow and cinematographer Harold Rosson in 1933 to defuse publicity; they divorced eight months later.
Authored 'Oklahoma, Its Origins and Development'
Victor wrote the historical work Oklahoma, Its Origins and Development (1934).
Pregnancy and abortion (with William Powell)
Harlow became pregnant by William Powell in 1936; studio-arranged abortion procedures were performed (reported as to avoid scandal).
Participated in FDR's birthday fundraising (March of Dimes)
Jean Harlow traveled to Washington, D.C., and participated in fundraising events for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday (January 30, 1937).
Filming resumed for 'Saratoga' after health delays
After delays due to sepsis following a tooth extraction, Harlow returned to set on April 22, 1937 to film Saratoga with Clark Gable.
Death of Jean Harlow (kidney failure complications)
Jean Harlow died June 7, 1937 at age 26 from complications listed as cerebral edema/acute nephritis/uremia; funeral June 9, 1937 and interment in Forest Lawn.
Posthumous release of Saratoga — highest-grossing film of 1937
MGM completed Saratoga using doubles and the film was released July 23, 1937; it became the highest-grossing film of 1937 and Harlow's highest-grossing film.
Bryce Harlow arrives in Washington, D.C.
Bryce Harlow arrived at the U.S. Capitol in September 1938 as an Oklahoma University graduate student completing research on the House Ways and Means Committee; took a library assistant job and stayed.
Began work for Congressman Wesley Disney
After finishing his thesis, Bryce was offered and accepted a staff position with Oklahoma Congressman Wesley Disney — his entry into Washington career work.
President, Oklahoma City Carnegie Library Board (1941–1948)
Victor served as president of the Oklahoma City Carnegie Library Board from 1941 to 1948.
Joined Army Reserve; served under General George C. Marshall (WWII)
Harlow joined the Army Reserve and was placed on active duty roughly five months before U.S. entry into WWII; assigned to Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall writing speeches and news releases.
Returned to family business as vice president of Harlow Publishing
After World War II Bryce briefly returned home to work as vice president of the family publishing business (Harlow Publishing Company).
Joined House Armed Services Committee staff under Carl Vinson
Bryce returned to Washington in 1947 to join the House Armed Services Committee staff under Democratic Chairman Carl Vinson.
Headed Human Resources Research, Department of the Army
Harlow served as head of the Human Resources Research branch of the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952.
Elected to U.S. National Academy of Sciences
Harry F. Harlow was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to psychology and primate research.
Resigned from House Armed Services Committee; left government
Disenchanted by post-war politics, Bryce resigned from the committee in 1951 and re-entered the private sector, leading family publishing interests.
Headed Division of Anthropology & Psychology, National Research Council
Harlow served as head of the NRC Division of Anthropology and Psychology from 1952 to 1955.
Authored 'The Destroyer of Jesus' (1953)
Victor published the book The Destroyer of Jesus in 1953 (late-career publication).
Joined Dwight D. Eisenhower administration; served as speechwriter & congressional liaison
With Eisenhower's election Bryce joined the White House staff after some persuasion, writing major speeches and serving as a congressional liaison across the administration.
Received Howard Crosby Warren Medal
Harlow was awarded the Howard Crosby Warren Medal (1956) for achievements in experimental psychology.
Elected to the American Philosophical Society
Harlow was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1957.
Appointed Deputy Assistant to the President for Congressional Affairs (Eisenhower)
During Eisenhower's second term Bryce was named the first Deputy Assistant to the President for Congressional Affairs in a White House reorganization — establishing a permanent legislative affairs role.
President of the American Psychological Association
Harlow served as APA president from 1958 to 1959.
Delivered 'The Nature of Love' APA address
Harlow presented 'The Nature of Love' at the 66th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C., summarizing his surrogate mother experiments.
Death of Victor E. Harlow
Victor Emmanuel Harlow died of cancer on October 6, 1958; he remained president of Harlow Publishing Company until his death.
Began publishing on partial and total social isolation
From 1959 onward Harlow and colleagues published observations on partial and total social isolation effects in infant primates (leading to controversial isolation chamber studies).
Jean Harlow honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Jean Harlow received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960 (posthumous honor).
Moved to Procter & Gamble as congressional liaison (private sector)
After Kennedy's election (1961) Bryce transitioned to the private sector as congressional liaison for Procter & Gamble, representing corporate interests in Washington.
Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Harlow was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1961).
Published 'Total social isolation in monkeys' (PNAS)
Harlow, Dodsworth, and Harlow published results in PNAS documenting the severe effects of total social isolation in monkeys.
PNAS paper 'Total social isolation in monkeys' (Harlow et al.)
Harlow et al.'s June 1965 PNAS paper described effects of total social isolation, a key scientific publication in primate/deprivation literature.
Publication and dissemination: 'The Nature of Love' became a key citation
Harlow's 1958 American Psychologist article 'The Nature of Love' (and subsequent dissemination) provided empirical support to Bowlby and attachment theory debates.
Harlow laboratory controversy contributed to changes in animal-welfare awareness and legislation
Criticism of Harlow's deprivation studies is cited as contributing to the rise of the animal liberation movement and to increased scrutiny leading up to the U.S. Animal Welfare Act (1966).
Awarded the National Medal of Science
Harlow received the U.S. National Medal of Science in 1967 for his work on maternal attachment and primate behavior.
Returned to public service under Richard Nixon (1969 appointment preparation)
Following Nixon's 1968 election, Bryce was tapped for a White House appointment and returned to run the office of legislative affairs for the Nixon administration (assumed 1969).
Returned to Procter & Gamble (private sector)
In 1970 Bryce returned to P&G to continue representing corporate legislative interests after early Nixon years.
Published social recovery studies with Stephen J. Suomi
Harlow and Suomi published 'Social Recovery by Isolation-Reared Monkeys' (PNAS 1971), reporting limited rehabilitation of isolation-reared monkeys.
Received Gold Medal from American Psychological Foundation
Harlow was awarded the Gold Medal from the American Psychological Foundation (1973).
Resigned final time from White House amid Watergate fallout (approx.)
As Watergate unfolded, Bryce (then about 57 by reference) resigned from White House service for the final time and returned to P&G (timeline placed during Nixon era).
Retired from Procter & Gamble (vice president)
Bryce served as vice president at Procter & Gamble until his retirement in 1978.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 1981 President Reagan awarded Bryce Harlow the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his long service in government and industry.
Death of Harry F. Harlow
Harry F. Harlow died on December 6, 1981 in Tucson, Arizona, aged 76.
Birth of Jessica Ashley Karpov (Harloe)
Jessica Ashley Karpov (stage name Harloe) was born in the United States.
Posthumous plays, films and cultural works based on Harlow(s)
Multiple cultural works referenced Harry Harlow (e.g., The Harry Harlow Project play), Jean Harlow inspired popular culture icons; novels, films, and documentaries were later produced.
Harry Harlow ranked among 26th most cited 20th-century psychologists
A 2002 Review of General Psychology survey ranked Harlow as the 26th most cited psychologist of the 20th century (retrospective bibliometric milestone).
Co-wrote and co-produced songs on Kelly Clarkson's 'Meaning of Life'
Jessica 'Harloe' Karpov co-wrote and co-produced four songs on Kelly Clarkson's 2017 album Meaning of Life, including singles 'I Don't Think About You' and 'Heat'.
Songwriting credits for major artists (cumulative ongoing)
Harloe has songwriting credits for artists including Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Celine Dion, Zayn, K/DA, Sabrina Claudio, and Olivia Holt.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Jean Harlow and others achieved at these notable ages:
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