File 11 - Sigmund Freud, letters to

13 files

These letters form one half of the Jones/Freud correspondence; see also 'Sigmund Freud, letters from' (ref. P04-C-C-12) for the other half. The subject matter is wide ranging, concerning personal, professional and political matters. There is considerable discussion of many aspects of psychoanalytic theory, particulary with reference to the patients analysed by Jones, Freud and their colleagues. Also included are frequent references to the translation, publication and review of many psychoanalytic articles, essays and books. There are references to the establishment, membership and organisation of the International Psychoanalytical Association, including arrangements for congresses and also considerable correspondence concerning the workings of the various national and local psychoanalytical societies, particularly the groups in the USA. Throughout the correspondence there are many personal letters about health and family.

Amongst all these discussions are frequent references to many of the significant figures in psychoanalysis, including Carl Jung, Otto Gross, Morton Prince, Wilhelm Stekel, James Putnam, Alfred Adler, Otto Rank, Hanns Sachs, David Eder, Karl Abraham, Max Eitingon, Sandor Ferenczi, A A Brill, Johann van Ophuijsen, Theodor Reik, Marie Bonaparte, Max Eitingon and David Forsyth.

The earlier correspondence from 1908 into the 1920s includes discussions of the initial consolidation of the main figures in the psychoanalytic movement, including Freuds 'Secret Committee'. It also covers the establishment and functioning of various psychoanalytic journals.

From 1925-1927 the letters include discussions of the role of lay practitioners. In 1927 there is also correspondence concerning Jones’ and Joan Riviere’s support for Melanie Klein’s theories and the consequent difficulties between Freud and Jones regarding Anna Freud’s psychoanalytical practice.

The volume of correspondence decreases in the 1930s and from 1933-1939 many letters discuss the political situation in Europe with the rise of Nazism and the implications for various analysts and groups. These include arrangements for the resulting emigration and resettlement of analysts, including the Freud family, from Germany and other affected states.

Included at the end of the sequence are three letters, in German, from Martha Freud.

Open access

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• English

• Latin