Mary D. Salter Ainsworth (1913–1999) was Professor Emerita in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She was a pioneering developmental psychologist best known for her groundbreaking work on attachment theory. Ainsworth’s most influential work emerged from her observations in Uganda, detailed in this book. Ainsworth’s contributions earned her numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions. Her work remains foundational in psychology, impacting fields as diverse as psychotherapy, social work, and education, and continues to shape attachment research and theory today.