Freud, Sigmund (1856-1939), Austrian physician and psychologist, founder of the theory and method of treatment of neuroses, called psychoanalysis and became one of the most influential psychological teachings of the 20th century.
Freud was born in Freiberg (Moravia) May 6, 1856. As a young man he was interested in philosophy and other humanities, but he always felt the need to study natural sciences. He entered the Medical Faculty of the University of Vienna, where he received his medical degree in 1881, and became a physician of the Vienna hospital. In 1884 joined Joseph Breuer, one of the leading Viennese physicians who conducted the study of patients with hysteria through hypnosis. In 1885-1886 worked with the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot at Salpetriere Hospital in Paris. Upon his return to Vienna had been engaged in private practice. In 1902, Freud had already received recognition, and he was appointed Professor of Neuropathology, University of Vienna, the post he held until 1938. In 1938, after the capture of Austria by Nazi,   Freud was forced to leave Vienna. The escape from Vienna and the ability to temporarily settle in London were organized by the British psychiatrist Ernest Jones, the Greek princess Marie Bonaparte and by the United States Ambassador to France William Bullitt. Freud died in London on 23 September 1939.

Sigmund Freud developed the theory of psychosexual development of the individual. To the shaping of his character and his pathology, a central role played his experiences of early childhood. He distributed the principles of psychoanalysis to different areas of human culture - mythology, folklore, arts, religion, etc

Early in his career, Sigmund Freud concluded that the treatment of mental illness it must be understand its nature, but in order to make sense of a separate phenomenon, it is necessary to observe and explore it systematically. This led to the discovery of the vital principle of psychoanalysis as an effective method of investigation. As a result, Freud was the first who explained the human behavior in psychological concepts and categories, and demonstrated that the behavior under certain circumstances can be changed. He seems to put closer together the concept of treatment and research. The findings of Freud and his principles have given rise to the first comprehensive theory of personality based on observation rather than speculative assumptions.

The main works of Sigmund Freud are: « The Interpretation of Dreams » (1900), « Psychopathology of everyday life » (1904), « Lectures on Psycho Analysis » (1910), «Totem and Taboo» (1913), «I eat» (1923).

Today, Freud's personality has become legendary, and his work unanimously recognized as a new landmark of world culture. The interest to discoveries of psychoanalysis often inspires philosophers and writers, artists and filmmakers. Even during his life, was published a book of Stefan Zweig «Healing and the Mind». One of its chapters is devoted to «the father of psychoanalysis», its role in the final coup ideas about medicine and the nature of diseases. After the Second World War in the United States psychoanalysis becomes «second religion». One of the greatest French philosophers - Jean-Paul Sartre wrote a script about the life of Freud, and later Hollywood film director John Huston takes off a film on his motive... Today it is impossible to name any great writer or a scientist, philosopher and director of the twentieth century, which would not experience in a direct or indirect way the influence of psychoanalysis. Thus was fulfilled the promise of a young Viennese physician, that he gave to his future wife Martha - he really was a great man.

References:

- All Psychology Blog