Walter Jackson Freeman II

American physician and lobotomy advocate

Walter Jackson Freeman II (November 14, 1895 – May 31, 1972) was an American physician who specialized in neurology and became known for his advocacy of the lobotomy as a treatment for mental illness. He was a controversial figure in the history of psychiatry due to his promotion of the procedure, which he performed on thousands of patients.

Early life and education

Freeman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a family with a strong medical background. He attended Yale University, where he earned his undergraduate degree, and later received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Freeman began his career as a neurologist and was appointed as the head of the neurology department at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. He was influenced by the work of Egas Moniz, a Portuguese neurologist who developed the prefrontal leucotomy, a precursor to the lobotomy.

Development of the lobotomy

Walter Jackson Freeman II

Freeman, along with his colleague James W. Watts, developed the "Freeman-Watts standard procedure," which involved drilling holes in the skull to access the brain's frontal lobes. Freeman later modified the procedure to create the "transorbital lobotomy," which involved inserting an ice pick-like instrument through the eye socket.

Promotion and practice

Freeman traveled across the United States, performing lobotomies and training other physicians in the procedure. He believed that lobotomies could alleviate symptoms of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Freeman's methods were controversial and faced criticism from the medical community. Despite this, he continued to advocate for the procedure, performing thousands of lobotomies during his career.

Later life and legacy

Freeman's career ended in the 1960s as the lobotomy fell out of favor due to the development of antipsychotic medications and growing ethical concerns. He retired and spent his later years traveling and lecturing about his experiences.

Freeman's legacy is a subject of debate. While some view him as a pioneer who sought to alleviate suffering, others criticize his methods and the ethical implications of his work.

Related pages

• Lobotomy
• Egas Moniz
• History of psychiatry
• Psychosurgery