William Rush Dunton Jr (24 July 1868 - 23 December 1966) was a founder and early president of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Dunton was interested in the potential of healing his patients through purposeful activities (known then as daily occupations).
Dunton was among the founding members of the Maryland Psychiatric Society and served as the first secretary of the organization.
[4] He wrote on a variety of subjects including recreational therapy, epilepsy, mental health, quilting, and hooked rugs.
[5] As part of his occupational therapy treatment, Dunton encouraged some of his patients to pursue quilt making.
He felt that bright colors were pleasing to nervous patients, and the act of cutting and sewing helped take their minds off their own problems.
Furthermore, he believed that many of his female patients could benefit from the quiet, calming influence of needlework and the sense of accomplishment it brought.