Richard von Krafft-Ebing

Richard von Krafft-Ebing (1840-1902) was an Austro-German psychiatrist and author, best known for his work in the field of sexual pathology. His most notable work, Psychopathia Sexualis, was one of the first scientific studies of sexual deviance.

Early Life and Education

Richard von Krafft-Ebing was born on August 14, 1840, in Mannheim, Germany. He studied medicine at the University of Heidelberg, where he developed an interest in psychiatry.

Career

After completing his studies, Krafft-Ebing worked at several asylums before becoming a professor of psychiatry at the University of Graz in Austria. He held this position for over twenty years, during which time he conducted extensive research into various aspects of human sexuality.

Psychopathia Sexualis

In 1886, Krafft-Ebing published Psychopathia Sexualis, a study of sexual deviance. The book, which included case studies of his patients, was one of the first to approach the subject from a scientific perspective. It introduced several new terms to the field of psychiatry, including "sadism" and "masochism".

Later Life and Legacy

Krafft-Ebing retired from the University of Graz in 1900 and died two years later. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of psychiatry, particularly in the study of sexual behavior.

See Also

• History of psychiatry
• Sexology
• Sigmund Freud