Background
Thayer was born on October 13, 1886 in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States; the son of Oscar Benjamin Thayer and Rose Standish (Munson) Thayer.
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
University of Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States
Carroll University
Thayer was born on October 13, 1886 in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States; the son of Oscar Benjamin Thayer and Rose Standish (Munson) Thayer.
Thayer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916, a Master of Arts degree in 1917 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1922 from the University of Wisconsin. Also he attended Carroll Academy (nowadays Carroll University).
Thayer began his career as an attendant at a sanitarium, then in a restaurant and later waiting tables in a boarding house. Then he served as a principal of an elementary school and then as a superintendent of Schools in Ashland, Wisconsin.
In 1928, Vivian was appointed an educational director of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where he worked until 1948. He also chaired the Commission on Secondary School Curriculum for the Progressive Education Association for eight years.
He lectured and taught at many universities, including Teacher's College of Columbia University, Harvard University, Ohio State University, the University of Hawaii, the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University.
Thayer held the position of an editor for the American Review and the Journal of Educational Research.
Thayer believed the task of educators was to find ways to help students mature, achieve independence and contribute to their community according to their own needs and interests.
Thayer was a member of National Education Association, National Society for Study of Education, Progressive Education Association, Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Kappa.
Vivian Thayer was married to Florence Amelia Adams. They had 3 children.