Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a revolutionary approach to understanding the human mind. Born in 1856, Freud’s work fundamentally reshaped the fields of psychology and psychiatry by introducing the concept of the unconscious mind and the influence of early childhood experiences on personality development. His theories, including the structural model of the psyche (id, ego, and superego) and the stages of psychosexual development, have had a lasting impact on how we perceive mental health and human behavior.

Freud’s contributions extend beyond clinical practice; they have deeply influenced Western thought, culture, and the arts. Despite facing controversy and criticism throughout his career, Freud’s insights into dreams, defense mechanisms, and the workings of the unconscious mind provided a foundation for modern psychotherapy and inspired future generations of psychologists and thinkers. His writings, including “The Interpretation of Dreams” and “On Psychoanalysis,” remain foundational texts for understanding the complexities of human behavior and emotional life.