Jean Martin Charcot

Jean-Martin Charcot (29 November 1825 – 16 August 1893) was a French neurologist and professor of anatomical pathology. He is best known today for his work on hypnosis and hysteria, more specifically his work with his hysteria patient Louise Augustine Gleizes. Also known as "the Napoleon of the neuroses," Charcot is considered one of the pioneers of neurology. His work greatly influenced the developing fields of neurology and psychology; modern psychiatry owes much to the work of Charcot and his direct followers. He was the "foremost neurologist of late nineteenth-century France" and has been called "the father of French neurology and one of the world's pioneers of neurology". His name has been associated with at least 15 medical eponyms, including Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease and Charcot disease.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Charcot was born in Paris, the son of a coach builder. He was educated at the historic Collège de France, where he received his medical degree in 1853.

Career[edit | edit source]

Charcot took an interest in diseases of the nervous system, and he became a student of Guillaume Duchenne, the developer of electrodiagnostics and electrotherapeutics. From 1862 to 1893 he served as physician at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, where he studied neurology intensively. He was also a professor at the University of Paris for 33 years.

Contributions to neurology[edit | edit source]

Charcot's focus on the study of hysteria and hypnosis resulted in significant contributions to the field of neurology. He is perhaps best known for his work with the hysteria patient Louise Augustine Gleizes, which led to his development of the concept of hysteria. Charcot's studies of hysteria are considered the foundation of modern psychiatry.

Death and legacy[edit | edit source]

Charcot died in Morvan's syndrome, a rare skin and gland disease. His work was of great influence and his students included Sigmund Freud, Pierre Janet, and Alfred Binet. Despite his great contributions to early neurological research, his ideas and clinical approach to hysteria have been widely criticized and debated.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Jean Martin Charcot Resources
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