Freud, Sigmund | A striking letter of recommendation written in Freud's final year

Freud, Sigmund

Autograph letter, signed ("Prof. Sigm. Freud"). London: 16 November 1938

Autograph letter (236 x 142 mm) on 1 leaf of Freud's stationary, written in blue ink on recto, dated "Nov. 15th 1938" at head and signed ("Prof. Sigm. Freud") at foot; old horizontal fold, some light creasing, 1 stray spot at foot.

In his last year of life, Freud writes an irate letter of recommendation for psychoanalyst Paul Federn

At the time of this letter, Dr. Paul Federn had fled Nazi-occupied Vienna, and was seeking to establish his psychoanalytic practice in New York City. Despite the fact that New York State accepted degrees earned at European universities prior to 1914, he was told that his doctorate was not recognized and that he needed to pass a general medical exam in order to practice. At the time Freud had just arrived in London, having also fled Austria, and recently undergone a major surgical operation for his throat cancer. 

Federn had been Freud's substitute for fifteen years, first taking charge of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Group following Freud's first cancer treatments. Despite Freud's letter of recommendation, it was not until 1946 that Federn was recognized by the state as a practicing analyst. The distinctive letter, signed in a rare form by Freud, reads in full:

"Ever since I felt hampered by the effects of my operation in 1923, I established Dr. Paul Federn as my substitute in leading the Vienna psychoanalytic Group, acknowledging him thereby as the most prominent member, equally distinguished by his scientific work, his experience as teacher and his success in therapeutics. I consider it an absurdity that he should have to pass an examination in General Medicine before being permitted to teach and practise psychoanalysis in any country

Prof. Sigm. Freud"