Anna Freud

Date of Birth: December 3, 1895

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: October 9, 1982

Biography

Anna Freud was a renowned Austrian-British psychoanalyst, born on December 3, 1895, in Vienna, Austria. She was the sixth and youngest child of Sigmund Freud and Martha Bernays. Following in her father’s footsteps, Anna became a pivotal figure in the field of psychoanalysis, particularly in child psychology. She made significant contributions to the understanding of defense mechanisms and the development of psychoanalytic theory. Anna Freud’s early career was marked by her work as a schoolteacher, which greatly influenced her interest in child psychoanalysis. In 1922, she presented her first major paper, “Beating Fantasies and Daydreams,” to the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. Her work led to the publication of several influential books, including “Introduction to the Technique of Child Analysis” (1927) and “The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence” (1936). During World War II, Anna Freud moved to London, where she co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries to care for children who had been evacuated from their homes. After the war, she established the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic, which became a leading center for child psychoanalysis and training. Anna Freud dedicated her life to the study and care of children, making lasting contributions to the field until her death on October 9, 1982, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Anna Freud

1. Anna Freud was the youngest child of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis.

2. She was a pioneer in the field of child psychoanalysis and developed innovative techniques for treating children.

3. During World War II, she co-founded the Hampstead War Nurseries to care for displaced children.

4. Anna Freud’s book, “The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence,” is considered a seminal work in psychoanalytic theory.

5. She was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1967 for her contributions to psychology.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anna Freud

1. “Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training.”

2. “We are aware only of the empty space in the forest, which only yesterday was filled with trees.”

3. “If some longing goes unmet, don’t be astonished. We call that life.”

4. “Children usually do not blame themselves for getting lost.”

5. “The treatment of children is not bringing them up but helping them to bring themselves up.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Anna Freud did not amass significant personal wealth from her work. Her contributions were primarily academic and clinical rather than financial.

Children

Anna Freud never married and did not have any children of her own. She dedicated her life to the study and care of children through her professional work.