Originally published in 1924, Development of Social Theory was written to expand on an outline of the subject in order to turn it into a year's course of graduate study. From Plato to the writers and teachers of the time, it presents the theorists themselves, giving a historic background, followed by their theory and its subsequent development. It was highly regarded, and widely used as a text for many years. Today it can be read in its historical context.

James Pendleton Lichtenberger (1870-1953), Emeritus Professor of Sociology at University of Pennsylvania, was an American sociologist. Academic and pastor. In 1922 he was president of the American Sociological Society.