"The Interpretation of Dreams (1899) originally published in German as Die Traumdeutung is considered Sigmund Freud’s masterpiece. According to Freud, dreams are manifestations of repressed desires, and have an underlying meaning. He suggests methods of interpreting dreams ̶ ‘imaginary wish fulfillments’ ̶ by exploring the process of dream formation in the absence of censorship, the role of the unconscious in this process, the distortions of subconscious desires in their transpositions in dreams, and more, through several case studies and his own dreams. He, thus, proposes the radical idea that the unconscious can be understood through an analysis of dreams. In this seminal work, Freud also introduces the concept of ‘Oedipus Complex’, which was to become one of Freud’s most controversial ideas. The Interpretation of Dreams was reprinted seven times during Freud’s lifetime, and has been the subject of much debate and speculation ever since."
SIGMUND FREUD, born on 6 May 1856, Freiberg, Moravia, Austrian Empire, was a famous Austrian neurologist and arguably one of the most significant contributors to the field of Psychology. He was the founder of Psychoanalysis, a theory that influenced fields beyond Psychology and dominated the 20th century consciousness.
Through Psychoanalysis, Freud introduced groundbreaking therapeutic techniques such as free association and transference, and introduced revolutionary concepts such as the theory of the unconscious and Oedipus complex, which remains one of Freud's most controversial ideas. His major works include Studies on Hysteria (1895), The Interpretation of Dreams (1899), and Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality (1905).
After the Nazi invasion of Austria, Freud had to flee to England. However, his ideas and theories remained prevalent despite being challenged often throughout the 20th century. Freud died on 23 September 1939, aged 83.