Viktor E. Frankl
Viktor Emil Frankl was born on March 26, 1905, in Vienna, Austria. He was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor. Frankl was the founder of logotherapy, a form of existential analysis, and best known for his bestselling book 'Man's Search for Meaning', which he wrote based on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps.
During his time in the concentration camps, Frankl lost his wife, brother, and parents. Despite these personal losses, he found the will to survive by finding personal meaning in the experience, which later influenced his approach to psychotherapy. His work has been influential in the field of existential therapy and personal development, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning in all forms of existence.
After the war, Frankl returned to Vienna and served as the head of the neurology department at the Vienna Polyclinic Hospital. He continued to write and lecture on topics surrounding his theories of psychological health and existential analysis. Frankl's teachings and books have inspired millions worldwide, making him one of the most important figures in 20th-century psychology.