Viktor E. Frankl specialised in Neurology and Psychiatry and taught at the University of Vienna Medical School. He was the second of three children born to Jewish parents in Vienna at the beginning of the 20th century. Already at high school his interest in psychology brought him in contact with Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler. When still a medical student he gave lectures in Austria and abroad about the spiritual dimension of man and meaning in life. He was convinced that life under all circumstances is meaningful but that there is no specific meaning valid for everyone. On the contrary, as every human being is unique, that what provides meaning for the one does not necessarily do so for the other. In addition meaning is related to specific situations, e.g. living conditions or age.

Life till 1945
When starting his medical career Frankl worked in various Hospitals in Vienna and engaged himself in setting up help lines for suicidal youth in order to reduce the high rate of suicides. During this period he developed the basic concept of Logotherapy which he drafted under the title: ‘The Doctor and the Soul; From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy’. This manuscript was discovered and destroyed when in 1942 he, his wife Tilly and his parents were transported to concentration camps. While being imprisoned in various concentration camps for three years, his conviction that life is meaningful under all circumstances was severely tested but not disproved. Towards the end of his imprisonment he fell ill of typhoid fever and, to avoid a fatal collapse, he kept himself awake by reconstructing the manuscript of his book on slips of papers. By doing this Frankl found proof, this time for himself, that meaningfulness can even be essential for survival.

Coming to terms with his experiences
In April 1945 he arrived back in Vienna and learned within few days, that his wife Tilly, his parents, and his brother and wife had died. His wife had survived the liberation but died some days later of starvation. Only his sister was still alive, who had left in time for Australia. In only 9 days he dictated another book about his experiences in various death camps with the title ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’. Despite his personal losses through the Nazi regime he distanced himself publicly from accusing all Germans of collective guilt. With this statement he contributed considerably to the Austrian process of coming to terms with their part of history under the National Socialism.

Past 1945
From 1946 to 1971 Frankl held the position of director of the Vienna Neurological Policlinic. He wrote numerous books, became Professor at the University of Vienna and in the 1950ies started lecturing as guest professor at various universities overseas.
At work he got to know the nurse Eleonore Schwindt. They married in 1947 and she became a strong partner to him by granting him support and criticism.
The long list of professorships, honorary doctoral degrees and awards demonstrates how strongly his work was recognized around the world.

Characteristics
Frankl repeatedly verified his theories in self-experiments. He, for instance, trained to become a mountain guide although he was scared of heights and at the age of nearly 70 years he acquired a flight certificate. To his conviction the various causes for anxieties are challenges to be overcome by following the motto: ‘So, do I really have to keep putting up with myself? Aren’t I stronger than my fears?’ This attitude reveals also his deep sense of humour.

If you want to read more about Viktor Frankl and Logotherapy you can visit the homepage of the Viktor Frankl Zentrum and the Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna