Dr. Barclay grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and attended Yale University. From there he earned a M.A. in Experimental Psychology and went on to the University of Minnesota where he he was awarded a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. He traveled to Michigan State University because it was the most beautiful campus he had ever seen and he loved teaching large-enrollment courses. He became a popular figure on campus and was controversial for teaching a Human Sexuality course that boasted over 10,000 students. The first semester it was offered, over 2,500 students enrolled which made headlines all over the world. Many of the newspaper headlines referred to it as an "X-Rated Sesame Street." He said that he had to grow up, though, and moved on to teach the Love and Maturity course. He appeared on television shows nationwide and was referred to as "Dr. Sex" on Kelly and Company on WXYZ in Detroit. He became known to his students as "Dr. Love" in his more mature years. He also embraced humanism through teaching a Humanistic Psychology class. He earned his Psychologist's License and after he retired after 35 years at Michigan State, he ran a clinical practice with an emphasis on personality assessment. He continues to provide psychological assessments for Department of Health and Human services in rural counties as well as providing expert testimony in child abuse cases. He and his wife, Stephanie, sailed the Great Lakes for many years. They now have a summer home in Michigan and spend winters in Florida.